tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153888092024-03-23T14:31:02.693-04:00The House of LadyleeAt the House of LadyLee... We like to keep it smurfy!LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.comBlogger2654125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-37137293371709774942024-02-07T09:30:00.001-05:002024-02-07T09:30:00.131-05:00Happy Birthday #54 to ME! <p>Today is my Birthday.</p><p><b><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">Birthday #54!!</span></b></p><p>I am not turning big cartwheels about it, but I am just happy to see another year of life. It is that simple. </p><p>I have no big plans. Me and LadyTee spend our birthdays together, and I tried to get her to just skip mine this year, and we could spend some time together for her birthday in March. It just makes me anxious to have to find somewhere for lunch, where we have to sit outside on a balcony and be COLD. I do not want to be cold, and there is no way I am sitting in a restaurant full of people without a mask. </p><p>NO.</p><p>But she found a place, and it should be in the high 50s in my beloved ATL tomorrow. So I will make sure to wear something warm, maybe a few layers of clothes and eat and be cold. I am gonna make sure to enjoy myself. But besides that, I have no plans. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9DmMtTwzcVAw1wv1Tp5mWhnKn0WKqFEBTShyiV8c41MPbg6vVf2yI2aJ4Y1HOCsDZ7Ip71Bxb4ATKQc_cQJwi9RLvwx4yGdpoV_fONE20_kOGAKZdvf-KH4zQHBAED19QvTmg8wXFetZgQTuKxFkEmr40wa7ztWSixes9c_ZNncn7Ywqs1Ky2g/s4032/20240206_215905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9DmMtTwzcVAw1wv1Tp5mWhnKn0WKqFEBTShyiV8c41MPbg6vVf2yI2aJ4Y1HOCsDZ7Ip71Bxb4ATKQc_cQJwi9RLvwx4yGdpoV_fONE20_kOGAKZdvf-KH4zQHBAED19QvTmg8wXFetZgQTuKxFkEmr40wa7ztWSixes9c_ZNncn7Ywqs1Ky2g/w98-h200/20240206_215905.jpg" width="98" /></a></div>I have been eyeing my mini-piggy bank the last few days. If you don't know, I save money from birthday to birthday, then I go put it in the bank. And I buy myself a gift. Last year, I saved a little over $500. I still have that socked away. I am going to count what I have in my little piggy bank tomorrow and figure out how much I have. I think it is around $200-300 dollars. I am putting that with the $500, and going to buy a new cellphone. Or a new laptop. I have not decided what I want to do. I need to travel to DC for a one day work trip soon, so I need a piece of carry on luggage. Not sure what I want to do... but I love opening that piggy bank and counting out my money. I think for 2021, I had some $900! It is shocking how much that little bank can hold. I forgot what I did with it, but it, but it was NOT paying bills. I bought something for myself.<p></p><p>I have spent the past few days pondering the past year. So much has been overshadowed by transitioning to the new job. That, and doing my best to cope with this ongoing isolation due to covid. I miss just running around doing the things I like to do. I have gone to a store, gotten to the door of the store and have had to turn around because...</p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"Danggit, I forgot my mask!!!!"</span></b></p><p><i>*LadyLee stomping back to the parking lot for her mask*</i></p><p>Sigh. I guess this is the new normal. Even with being careful to wear a mask, I still got covid last month. That was another highlight/lowlight of the year. I am just thankful that I came out of it with no seemingly long term issues. At least I don't know about the issues. I skipped my last rheumatology appointment, which was suppose to be last week. (It was 30 degrees that morning, and I did not want to be cold),</p><p>I think what I miss most about this past year is my good walking habit. That was the best thing ever, working myself up to walking 3-5 miles a day. Just to be out in the fresh air and sunshine was everything. In October 2022, I decided to walk after a rain shower and I slipped on some mud. I did not fall, but my foot has not been right every since, and it hurts to walk more than 20 or 30 minutes. I have had x-rays and nothing's wrong with the bones. I have sciatica on my right side now, and that makes it worse. I think that slip up just aggravated it. And I have been lazy about figuring out something more low impact to do. That is my fault. I own that. Maybe I will do better about that in year 54 of my life. </p><p>Oh, and another thing. Pam the Protege has been sold.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYIqZG96JhqIdPROYKT6Jh_vvqJTbdupH2uQ2-bVEJh7C-cav8bpecuufQ1Z22npqPCXCABOZBIv8vBTrKpYcl0pYJztsFj8zMkoxdk63-RuGaIHKgqsxp2sI5M3WUUuL4FmIvbKjaNjDLvqbPrXh0pYHbBb-g52g2YX9TCUZIajioe3E7ZdBsA/s1049/Screenshot_20240206-220826_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1049" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYIqZG96JhqIdPROYKT6Jh_vvqJTbdupH2uQ2-bVEJh7C-cav8bpecuufQ1Z22npqPCXCABOZBIv8vBTrKpYcl0pYJztsFj8zMkoxdk63-RuGaIHKgqsxp2sI5M3WUUuL4FmIvbKjaNjDLvqbPrXh0pYHbBb-g52g2YX9TCUZIajioe3E7ZdBsA/w200-h119/Screenshot_20240206-220826_Chrome.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Such a funny story. I will write about it soon. But I have had two cars for awhile, since 2012. My work commute has been pretty short (9.5 miles round trip) the last 17 years or so. For the past 10 years, I only put 500 miles a year on Pam, and about 6000 miles a year on Lucy Jr. So with the pandemic and working from home, I only put around 2800 miles a year on Lucy Jr. And here's the kicker: insurance in the inner city is sky high, so I just took Pam off my insurance and parked it. I could not get her to pass emissions, and I wasn't gonna try to figure it out. Here in GA, once a car turns 25, there is no need for emissions. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BiveIcyk4kZgyhYM7yfsQ-q86U7uxwndjlE6cILt06QGlIntDUkkQmipCbhNh587H4Yd6a5RxoHXkv0zcXqY3fmchKbjgIn3E089urYNLtezIybRZQPS_MPlDU3FUTUk7Kn_k8rZgPeUARHSzeKMT98djJsC6eU9jrGbLtb4vvwYYPgyCEPr-w/s1080/Screenshot_20240206-221012_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1080" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BiveIcyk4kZgyhYM7yfsQ-q86U7uxwndjlE6cILt06QGlIntDUkkQmipCbhNh587H4Yd6a5RxoHXkv0zcXqY3fmchKbjgIn3E089urYNLtezIybRZQPS_MPlDU3FUTUk7Kn_k8rZgPeUARHSzeKMT98djJsC6eU9jrGbLtb4vvwYYPgyCEPr-w/w200-h144/Screenshot_20240206-221012_Chrome.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Pam turned 25 in 2022. And now, in 2024, Lucy Jr. is 25. Insurance would have been around $250 a month for both cars. <p></p><p>NO. </p><p>So somebody bought Pam. And the story is hilarious. I will write that up soon! LOL</p><p>I liked having two cars, but with the invention of rideshare, this is no longer necessary. Oh joy!</p><p>And I haven't had a car note since 2004. And I plan to keep it that way.</p><p>But that was the highlight of my year. I am sure more took place but I think, like I said, everything has been overshadowed by this new job. I think I got so use to my old job, so comfortable there for 22 years, so much so, that when a hard shift occurred, I spent most of my year getting adjusted. Ugh! That is a high class problem to have, though. I comfort myself with that. Not complaining, but man oh man... I am just still in awe that I had the courage to step out and do something new like change jobs. </p><p>I didn't really even pray about it. I do remember prayers of me needing to <i>think </i>about praying about it. I remember praying about how I need to think about my career and where I need to go with it and where I want to land my career and think about retirement. And voila... new job loaded so fast it made my head spin.</p><p>What am I looking forward to in year 54?</p><p>I have not thought much about it. I want to have better habits. I want to be a little more courageous and intentional about my personal goals. I tend to be more internal and self-contained these days. I am working on stepping away from that to a point. I know over the past few years, I tend to focus on people who know me and accept my flaws, and I theirs (we all have them), and move more away from social media. I feel like social media is the highlight reels of our lives, the silver lining of our clouds. It is so easy to get over into comparison of my life to the shiny parts of other peoples' lives. When it fact, everybody has a lot going on that they are not posting up. </p><p>My life is not very shiny. I wake up every morning just happy to see a new day and what it will bring. And my days are good. That is all I can ask for. </p><p>There are 8 billion people on this planet. That equals 8 billion complex journeys, all different with complex purposes, trials, triumphs, tribulations, etc. etc... </p><p>I will walk out my journey. </p><p>I cannot wait to see what year 54 brings.</p><p>I will walk out my journey. <i>On purpose. </i></p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-76422553390052104152024-01-25T20:56:00.009-05:002024-01-25T21:34:34.051-05:00Blanket Watch 2023!
I was thinking about the blankets I made for the year 2023, and how it felt that I didn't meet my usual goal of making four adult blankets and one or two baby blankets. Last year I made three adult blankets and one baby blanket. I feel like I didn't crochet as much because of the new job. My mind was heavy on that. <div><br /></div><div>And I am okay with that. I had my work review today, and it went reasonably well, so I suppose I can relax now and crochet more in 2024. </div><div><br /></div><div>But at any rate, here are the three blankets I made. </div><div><br /></div><div>The name of this blanket is "Mama's Joy"<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlWfVjoM_W0ANkALQ4N1FX0HbQM3dXrT8T_ckM12M8u4e5XvUacnI7KHeCFHKpXw_x1mbdxxIHGU4Die7pn3e4j2029M4pX8BruePXSQ8aJuwQhZAYT9n2uMbni2r_YETuCjHvDdEzTpkVy3wuB5FHwbK7k1088sBeM1TR6fSOJ6XdXtZlFxZ_A/s3603/20240101_124734.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3603" data-original-width="1512" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlWfVjoM_W0ANkALQ4N1FX0HbQM3dXrT8T_ckM12M8u4e5XvUacnI7KHeCFHKpXw_x1mbdxxIHGU4Die7pn3e4j2029M4pX8BruePXSQ8aJuwQhZAYT9n2uMbni2r_YETuCjHvDdEzTpkVy3wuB5FHwbK7k1088sBeM1TR6fSOJ6XdXtZlFxZ_A/s600/20240101_124734.jpg" /></a></div>
That is for my friend "Almond Joy's" Mother. </div><div><br /></div><div>I asked my friend what her mother's favorite color was. She said red, without any hesitation.
Bright red. </div><div><br /></div><div>I cringed inside. Fire Engine red. Ugh. And all one color. UGH.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I came through. I found some cherry red yarn and went for it. But it was like staring at the sun. That red did a number on my eyes! I haven't given it to her yet. It was suppose to be a Christmas gift, but that got delayed. She will be in town this weekend, so I will take it to her then. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees it!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a blanket I have made multiple times. I think some 6 times over the past decade, I believe. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwWDQ2BFLeBGBSqU6QFxgkd_z78F5WcOpx-eLKlRpGjstbldkLm9c6S-mc691LKvQVVVtvWNZd3YqRY6-j8Y3-iYWaFSeVRidMO7jN3C7MDEIAUkLItEsG9tN8wm8D13yQ1PLsVLIIJ4CQ2YcQW7tu-KcIbDBdvEIfvLubzNSGB95adCKdVGx_Q/s1931/Screenshot_20230109-160537_Gallery.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="967" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwWDQ2BFLeBGBSqU6QFxgkd_z78F5WcOpx-eLKlRpGjstbldkLm9c6S-mc691LKvQVVVtvWNZd3YqRY6-j8Y3-iYWaFSeVRidMO7jN3C7MDEIAUkLItEsG9tN8wm8D13yQ1PLsVLIIJ4CQ2YcQW7tu-KcIbDBdvEIfvLubzNSGB95adCKdVGx_Q/s600/Screenshot_20230109-160537_Gallery.jpg" /></a>
</div>One of them was made around the 2022 winter Holidays, so I am not counting that one, since it was a carryover from 2022. I think I may have finished that one in January. But I finished the second one in July. It was a birthday gift for my Nurse Practitioner. </div><div><br /></div><div>But guess what happened. My NP retired! I didn't have her phone number or anything. She was just up and gone. I tried to do the Peoplefinder thing on the internet, but that fell through. Finally in December, I asked another NP if she had her phone number, and if she did, could she please text her to contact me so she could get her stuff. She did that, and last week, I was able to give it to her. She loved it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Last but not least, "Mama Mary's Blues".<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaPUGUHXs6EKFEp7SMXj3mUAbdAKzC9zoSuWbUaJkgUaD9-24TPEY9LPThV_ECLapnt_geAL4fBZ0cG3NQnNrm47ErH0uVwxF609JNJXouElJQokls4A3DgcGsPDbN036lrla6bfFTa2VoA8At94zIka2jM7Jo3syWGGUlFskAVvmbTRBP1c3pQ/s3040/LM%20Mom%20blanket_051023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="1429" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaPUGUHXs6EKFEp7SMXj3mUAbdAKzC9zoSuWbUaJkgUaD9-24TPEY9LPThV_ECLapnt_geAL4fBZ0cG3NQnNrm47ErH0uVwxF609JNJXouElJQokls4A3DgcGsPDbN036lrla6bfFTa2VoA8At94zIka2jM7Jo3syWGGUlFskAVvmbTRBP1c3pQ/s600/LM%20Mom%20blanket_051023.jpg" /></a></div></div>
Now, this was not my usual crochet project. But it was in the same pattern book as the two above, and I have always wanted to make it. Boy oh boy, that was some craziness. It took me four months to make. FOUR months. That is too long. I didn't think I would EVER finish. OMG. <div><br /></div><div>But Mama Mary is one of my friend's mother. She was shocked when I presented it to her. It took her a minute to figure it out. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Is this mine?" she exclaimed. </div><div>"Yes it is!" I replied.</div><div><br /></div><div>This one was very special to me. I thought about my own mother while making it. And I gave Mama Mary the blanket around Mother's day. I realized my mother is gone, but even though she is gone, I was so thankful that I could give someone else's mother a gift instead. For some reason, that thought gave me solace. It gave me peace. </div><div><br /></div><div>So on to this year. I have already completed a baby blanket. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS_sJPm01vqKk1R3_5-pvqUMdYilMkO1RG9M0adi4JZD3UIjW38AsVy48Y-83xQ6-QYjNQzv9pEHL9G3VlraKAriNyZdvNTGkbgirUQcadlBMmrPnTsQjOz5o5KsuKzlL6unJqlehXU4Zv3QmpIL__Hh1n4RJg5XzlfMSTXjMbdR0qbVXDF_hUNg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS_sJPm01vqKk1R3_5-pvqUMdYilMkO1RG9M0adi4JZD3UIjW38AsVy48Y-83xQ6-QYjNQzv9pEHL9G3VlraKAriNyZdvNTGkbgirUQcadlBMmrPnTsQjOz5o5KsuKzlL6unJqlehXU4Zv3QmpIL__Hh1n4RJg5XzlfMSTXjMbdR0qbVXDF_hUNg" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I usually give myself a month, but I made it in two weeks flat. I needed something to do while I was being still with my covid. I quarantined it for a week before I washed and dried it. And I gave it to my coworker. She is odd in her design of commissioned blankets. The colors here were blush and sage, and I was at the craft store sending her pictures of yarn. She did a good job on deciding the color scheme from my pictures. She also likes three rows of three, because three is her favorite number. This baffles me. What does this three business have to do with the newborn baby? Hmm. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I took it, along with another baby blanket I made last year (I forgot to take a picture of that one), to my old job. It was good to deliver the one above to my coworker, and a baby blue and tan one to my workplace twin (we have the same birthday). They both liked the blankets. </div><div><br /></div><div>The one above -whoever my coworker was giving it to came by the job to pick it up within the hour... and went and caught a plane to Seattle. That was a lot going on. So that blanket should be in Seattle now with the newborn baby. </div><div><br /></div><div>So on to other blankets this year. I usually plan my year out, so it looks like I have one more baby blanket to make and two adult blankets make.</div><div><br /></div><div>Feels like a slow year. And that's cool. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I can work another one in if possible. You never know who's gonna have a baby on the way!</div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-32529150469420993742024-01-17T22:11:00.002-05:002024-01-17T22:11:25.961-05:00Negative!
Testing Negative. FINALLY!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gCv9dQmDRvgTDkOXoLB4O5XZ7cafcBvd2LqxUGdZwLNZcaU05Te4r0EdbLR3LMZGsr8naIAUxwXQ8FIaBkcYQiL41n_gnzR8jzXTDXwJZLXR_SNHTaxJuNI16ctCsdAHHdFOLKT-iLzofoP81_UXpk07_vjFdV60SgsZgObYqmCc6eayLlA4Hg/s4032/20240115_131914.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gCv9dQmDRvgTDkOXoLB4O5XZ7cafcBvd2LqxUGdZwLNZcaU05Te4r0EdbLR3LMZGsr8naIAUxwXQ8FIaBkcYQiL41n_gnzR8jzXTDXwJZLXR_SNHTaxJuNI16ctCsdAHHdFOLKT-iLzofoP81_UXpk07_vjFdV60SgsZgObYqmCc6eayLlA4Hg/w312-h640/20240115_131914.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
Thank goodness. I try to test myself every 48 hours, and for the last couple of tests before the one above, I was seeing a faint positive line. And I was wondering.... Lawd have mercy will this ever go away?<div><br /></div><div>Yes it did. I am keeping this negative test. </div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back on it, it was definitely an experience to deal with. I can understand how things can go BAD very quickly. I have never been THAT thirsty and parched with a cold or the flu. Wow. I could not drink enough water. I felt like I felt when I visited Denver, Colorado back in 2001, the weekend of 9-11... I could not get enough water. </div><div><br /></div><div>And oddly enough, I felt okay during the day. I was even able to work. Granted, I work from home. Ain't like I really had to get dressed, fight traffic, and get on into a building. But when the nighttime came, I was feeling like I had wandered into the Terrordome. </div><div><br /></div><div>My supervisor was wailing hard. I was looking forward to our biweekly 1:1 meeting, as I had some questions about an addendum to a report I'd been working on. He asked how I was doing, and I said fine, just dealing with the covid. All my work questions and discussions I had outlined on a scratch piece of paper went to dust. He was hollering "You must get some rest! And if you need anything, let us know."</div><div><br /></div><div><i>*LadyLee wondering hard how he can help me when he's in Maryland*</i></div><div><br /></div><div>My questions were not answered, and I was NOT in the mood to be trying to get a word in edgewise. He will correct my document and get it back to me eventually. </div><div><br /></div><div>Humph. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I am just glad it is over. I wish I knew which doggone variant I had. I was reading that this version is not Omicron, but some variant of it. The original omicron is over. </div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, I have a lingering cough. And I'll take that. As long as it disappears soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be though as it may... I will continue to mask and sanitize. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>I am just glad it's over with.</i></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-26281614607581021852024-01-12T18:36:00.001-05:002024-01-12T18:36:23.657-05:00My Happy New Year Gift.... UGH!<p>So...</p><p>I was sitting around, minding my business around New Years Day...</p><p>Enjoying my two whole weeks of Holiday leave...</p><p>Just minding my business!! </p><p>Then this happened:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2uJ1R7h5rL96uHZi5J3CtmEJxchzlrtDmXQUrH534Fmvz44wMZ0j_dONRgnM2m-6Jq_gXZ78t3Nq8cxHYtFy79mnozvQc0MVeN6LhZWtz40PvN_iwQ8IZyDrInvNIKn-O1F-2TBoPrPmRUPz1y5kb1i57FFk_BZbC4Pew65kGO46QBb-tUBSvQ/s4032/20240103_125317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2uJ1R7h5rL96uHZi5J3CtmEJxchzlrtDmXQUrH534Fmvz44wMZ0j_dONRgnM2m-6Jq_gXZ78t3Nq8cxHYtFy79mnozvQc0MVeN6LhZWtz40PvN_iwQ8IZyDrInvNIKn-O1F-2TBoPrPmRUPz1y5kb1i57FFk_BZbC4Pew65kGO46QBb-tUBSvQ/s320/20240103_125317.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><p>Look at that. A positive covid test. What an exciting New Year gift. :( </p><p>You mean to tell me that I have dodged covid for close to FOUR YEARS and NOW I catch it?</p><p>LAWD.</p><p>So around January 1st, I woke up with a sore throat. And it was barely snore. It felt like I may have swallowed a fish bone or something like that. Then on the January 2nd, I woke up with a noticeably sore throat. I could feel it when I swallowed. But I felt alright. Then on January 3rd, I noticed it was still sore, and I was a little congested. I thought it was just a cold coming on. </p><p>That morning of the 3rd, I was putting away laundry and I opened the bottom drawer of my chest of drawers and saw some covid tests. But they were old and expired. So I was just going to throw them away. I really needed that drawer space. </p><p>But before I threw them away, I decided to take a test to see if it was any good. </p><p>And after about 30 seconds, that first line, the one denoting a positive test, showed up.</p><p>I knew I was supposed to wait 15 minutes, but I just happened to be walking by and saw it. </p><p>"No, that's not right," I said aloud.</p><p>So, I took another test, using a different brand. Positive again.</p><p>"No, that's not right," I said again. </p><p>I called my local urgent care center. We had one that just opened a mile away. I made an appointment and got tested there later that afternoon.</p><p>"Guess what," the kind Nurse Practitioner said, his eyes tinged with kindness and sorrow. "You have covid."</p><p>O_O.</p><p>I thought I would cry or scream if I ever got it. But I didn't really react. </p><p>"Okay."</p><p>That is all I said. </p><p>He asked me to tell him about some of my autoimmune issues. I did. He wouldn't give me the antiviral medication. He told me to go call my rheumatologist. It was too late for all that. </p><p>My sister's best friend told me to look online to see if the antivirals clashed with any of my current medications. They did. So, I opted not to chance it. I was just going to ride it through.</p><p>And as you can see, I am still here!</p><p>I think I had a mild case. </p><p>I had been a little perplexed about the whole thing. I do not know where I caught it. I had been running a bunch of errands on the southside on New Years Eve weekend. I always wore my black KN95 mask every time I went into a store. I sanitized my hands every time I got back in the car. I even had Chlorox wipes in my purse, just in case I needed them. </p><p>But like most of us, I had let things slip a little. I have worn a mask during the pandemic and even now. I did not mind being the only person in a grocery store with a mask on. I had gotten past the funny looks. But that weekend, I had started using my debit card for buying stuff. I wanted to get away from using my credit card to buy everything. I thought it would save me from swiping too much and buying too much unnecessary stuff. But with debit card use comes having to enter a pin number into the pinpad at the checkout.</p><p>And I also went to the movies. Mind you, I went to a 9:00 am movie on a Saturday morning. And there were only 5 people in the theater. And I wore my mask the entire time. I went to see <i>The Color Purple</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BVgQxmB9Qk-D44Lofbi0RpchFPnpKOxF0jxWTXLu7yAO2FvzlNDiXJYRlcejs67yxb8q03aEtk8-5YILiec_l2oO90Csiu0DV2I6dd7m7IssHcd51F1YODTnZ7F12YxqJ6EAhC3rkNzPqYcMVGJBLVCV0pmr0Ed5A7xCWP4f_jinhFqdi_Yxnw/s1543/colpurpposter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BVgQxmB9Qk-D44Lofbi0RpchFPnpKOxF0jxWTXLu7yAO2FvzlNDiXJYRlcejs67yxb8q03aEtk8-5YILiec_l2oO90Csiu0DV2I6dd7m7IssHcd51F1YODTnZ7F12YxqJ6EAhC3rkNzPqYcMVGJBLVCV0pmr0Ed5A7xCWP4f_jinhFqdi_Yxnw/w323-h400/colpurpposter.jpeg" width="323" /></a></div><br /><p>And it was good. </p><p>Could it have been from there? Who knows. We were all spread out. It was my favorite theater, and there were only 5 cars in the parking lot. </p><p>I don't know. </p><p>I did some yarn shopping. I went to the phone store to look at some phones, but there was a bunch of folk in there. I left immediately. </p><p>I am not sure where I got it from. But I wanted to drive to the southside Fayetteville city limits and jump out the car and shake my fist at Fayetteville. Then get back in the car and drive home. </p><p>I didn't do that. I just stayed at home and dealt with it. </p><p>But my symptoms were mild. I had a sore throat that lasted all of 4 days. I had 2 days of horrible sleep, where I was waking up several times a night and drinking A LOT of water. It was that kind of sleep where I would wake up and thought I had been asleep for several hours... but it had only been an hour. LONG nights. Ugh. </p><p>And a ton of mucous. Wow. </p><p>I must've gone through four boxes of tissues. YIKES.</p><p>And I drank so much water. I got to a point where I concocted fruit infused water every morning. I had some strange thing for pineapple lemon water. Water, water, water. </p><p>It was more discomfort than anything. My joints and muscles were no more achy than usual. I have arthritis, and I could not tell much of a difference. I was really happy that I did not have a fever. Urgent care prescribed an inhaler and cough pills. I didn't have to use those. Because I knew I was on the mend when I started sleeping better. I still feel like I was inhaling water, but that's fine. </p><p>I got plenty of water. </p><p>My sister made me text her every morning and every night before bed. I even texted her sleep oxygen levels recorded by my Smart Watch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg7wY8atY8CvpLNpUOmpF6gTFL-lJ2dxV6lj1HlfELhhdfvOdCCPAHiYe5pywgDgvoL7jhVGkPUHi2DdTBfCF63SHTdDjweEx4t49vzm-Gd4S6BN4xX-YiZeEroH2eSvl7WWx2qnUKmO1rjXeVh11J5cjPdfXpCyivdJYHZ8S73MzfdCy7q_BMA/s1095/Screenshot_20240108-082529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg7wY8atY8CvpLNpUOmpF6gTFL-lJ2dxV6lj1HlfELhhdfvOdCCPAHiYe5pywgDgvoL7jhVGkPUHi2DdTBfCF63SHTdDjweEx4t49vzm-Gd4S6BN4xX-YiZeEroH2eSvl7WWx2qnUKmO1rjXeVh11J5cjPdfXpCyivdJYHZ8S73MzfdCy7q_BMA/w395-h400/Screenshot_20240108-082529.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><p>You can tell when I was most sick... my oxygen levels were ever so slightly lower than my normal 95%. I am not sure this meant much, but I told my sister if I hit 80% oxygen, I was making a mad dash for the hospital!</p><p>But I feel better now. I am still testing positive after 9 days, but the line on the test is real faint. I think by Sunday or Monday, I will be testing negative. Hopefully.</p><p>"You have Covid-Lite," one of my friends said. "This new strain ain't like the older strains. It's Covid-Lite!"</p><p>I hoped she was right. I haven't been paying much attention to the pandemic news like I had been early on. I don't know what strains are out. And I know, after this is all over, I will go on and get the latest vaccine in a couple of weeks. </p><p>That was an experience. I remembered being glued to the television early in the pandemic, scared like crazy, and doing everything I could to protect myself. I think I would have fallen apart if I had gotten covid back then! </p><p>But I just kind of went on through it, making sure I was taking care of myself the best I could. I work from home, so I continued to work. I had an addendum to a report that was due on January 9th. And I got it done. And when I felt a little tired, I would take a break. I would leave my office and go down the hall to my spare bedroom and lay down. That has had to be the best thing about working from home. </p><p>But I tell you one thing... I don't want to deal with THAT again. </p><p>But that is how my New Year started out. Glad to still be here to talk about it!</p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-68223360046657424392024-01-01T17:10:00.000-05:002024-01-01T17:10:00.779-05:00Happy New Year 2024!!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>*STAR DATE*</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"><b>2024.01.01</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">HaPPy</span> <span style="color: #ffa400;">NeW</span> <span style="color: #ff00fe;">YeAR!!!</span></b></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQOw7pBRllMD1Ib8KwMpjA33rt_227hyphenhyphenzwlZdsL8Gm2hLqM6mlfia4Q2YSmdDo7qTMFMlDByOuHZsVSe5tAWKF4vsKgidK1HYzDrofE33UArJpWE43rq-h93PNzFifjnmygwyDMF20NpbZEIO3CNNnjj_8fGW6d3q33fjDkudDLEgeRc9pOdlbQ/s632/2024%20Hny.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQOw7pBRllMD1Ib8KwMpjA33rt_227hyphenhyphenzwlZdsL8Gm2hLqM6mlfia4Q2YSmdDo7qTMFMlDByOuHZsVSe5tAWKF4vsKgidK1HYzDrofE33UArJpWE43rq-h93PNzFifjnmygwyDMF20NpbZEIO3CNNnjj_8fGW6d3q33fjDkudDLEgeRc9pOdlbQ/s400/2024%20Hny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is going to be a whirlwind year! <div><br /></div><div>Let's hope that's in a good way! </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's get it! On purpose!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm believing it will be our best year ever! </div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-801646460393703932023-12-31T22:33:00.002-05:002023-12-31T22:33:35.227-05:00The Last Day of the Year 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-KXVgJDsjhtELYYmWFoTRBsoU-Q3szwIdBU-MefCuHbfSs-0Bw51GTAz2xGHrbaoaSQtYuvcKIz8-RhqwKaZvV-JhW5ZW7NKZUhf2NcTlRteLMbFnBG12nvzmPMQ__XUA2arXzrSXuVxA2upTtbuKqxe0Ja5Kwd4BbCdkcJWNLUcO-ivGyBdPA/s1140/2023%20final%20image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1140" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-KXVgJDsjhtELYYmWFoTRBsoU-Q3szwIdBU-MefCuHbfSs-0Bw51GTAz2xGHrbaoaSQtYuvcKIz8-RhqwKaZvV-JhW5ZW7NKZUhf2NcTlRteLMbFnBG12nvzmPMQ__XUA2arXzrSXuVxA2upTtbuKqxe0Ja5Kwd4BbCdkcJWNLUcO-ivGyBdPA/w400-h225/2023%20final%20image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since my birthday in February.<p></p><p>A whole 10 months ago. </p><p>And I feel bad about that. So much has happened this year. Why, if I would have just posted once a week, I could've had a better record of my year. </p><p>For there is no reason to post daily, because no one reads blogs anymore. And of course, it is best to go along with whatever the crowd is doing. </p><p>Me... I am not part of the crowd. Never have been, never will be. I think I recognized that a few years ago. Especially not a part of any internet crews. And that is fine. I don't have a problem with that. I am a strange chick, lol.</p><p>But, the issue is, this blog has been a good record of the going-ons in my life. Just today, while discussing a blanket with a former coworker (hint: "former" is an interesting word here... hmm), I was able to just come on this blog and pull some photos for her. I pulled them in under a minute... Why? Because I could search the whole LadyLee blog... some 17-18 years in length... and pull pictures. That is why it is so important to keep and not delete. And I should've been thinking about that all year long. And I regret not posting something once a week. Just that much stuff goes on. I have just that many pictures and stories. </p><p>So I like to just do a freestyle stream-of-consciousness post of what is on my mind this last day of the year in 2023. </p><p>One really important and huge turning point in my life was that I started a new job in April of this year. </p><p>I was comfortable at my old job. It was a comfortable job. There is nothing like going to work day after day on a government job, and I can depend on that pay check. I make three times the salary I made when I first started there close to 22 years ago. I was comfortable. </p><p>The new job isn't a huge change. It is still a government job in the same department, but it is a reassignment. My headquarters is up in Maryland somewhere. My supervisor is up there, too. I am a full time remote worker now. This was not a hard transition, as I'd been working from home for all of covid. I had to transform a bedroom I don't use (except for storage), to an office. That was interesting.</p><p>This new job is a writing job. And I do a TON of reading. Not the nice fiction reading I like, but hardcore scientific reading. I thought my dream was to have such a job, but lawd have mercy, it is all more difficult than I could ever imagine. But my supervisor says I am doing a good job. That was good to hear. </p><p>The most challenging part of this is working from home, and just having to pretty much having to police myself. I work on being really honest with myself, and evaluating and critiquing my day. I told someone that 4 out of 5 days of my workweek are pretty good. But that ONE day... is just an off day. I may not get as much accomplished as I like. Someone may call and I may yack on the phone. I may want to stop and watch something on television. I may wake up late. Any little thing like that will throw me off. </p><p>I tell you there is one thing I really like to do... when there is a staff meeting, and I don't have to worry about participating and just listening, It is a joy for whoever is in charge of the meeting say...</p><p><i>"We are waiting for 300 people to log on to this meeting, then we can get started..."</i></p><p>That means cameras and microphones are off. And I use that time to work on some simple project, like cleaning out the refrigerator, or cleaning out my spice cabinet. Or even folding a load of laundry. I can clean up the kitchen. Anything like that. Those meetings are usually an hour long. </p><p>Of course I have a pen and pad nearby, just in case I need to scratch out a few notes and shoot an email to another employee later about the matter. But as far as I am concerned, that time is for home projects. </p><p>There has been a time or two where I will take my laptop across the hall to my spare bedroom and lay across the bed and listen to a meeting. </p><p>But I think I do good overall. I want to get it down to one slow day for every ten days. I will get down to that. But for now, I meet all my deadlines. I have a meeting with my supervisor every 2 weeks. That is a good 30 minute talk. And I am working harder to just hold myself accountable. It is just too doggone easy to goof off. </p><p>I think the hardest part for me is that I miss my old coworkers. I don't think I realized how important it is to SEE people and talk to them. I don't think it bothered me too much during the pandemic, but it bothers me now because I am home alone AND I am looking and talking to people on the computer who I do not know. You gotta realize, I had been at my old workplace for over twenty years. I made friends there. I was familiar with my coworkers and they were familiar with me. So this is something that I have just had to cope with. Do I want to go back to my old job? Heck no. I just want to adjust to the changes. </p><p>I find I do best from a mental standpoint when I am intentional about getting out of the house at least twice during the week and at least once on the weekends. I have to see and interact with people. This don't feel too important because I am a loner, but I appreciate my friends, and people in general even more. </p><p>When major turns in my life occur, I think about what happened spiritually to lead to it. I had not been praying for a new job but I clearly remember praying about my career in general. </p><p><i>"Lord, I need to think about my career and how I want to land my plane, end my career..."</i></p><p>And in January, one of my coworkers sent me a job announcement, asking if she should apply for it. I said, sure, sounds good. Do you mind if I apply for it too? She said sure. And I did. </p><p>We both got the job. Along with another person in my group.</p><p>So you know me... I got to wondering how this happen. I remember asking my coworker what she'd been praying about. Because I wasn't praying about it. </p><p><i>"Did God do a 2 for 1 special? Can that happen?" </i></p><p>Of course he can. And then again, there was no formula for these types of things. </p><p><i>"I just be tryna figure stuff out."</i></p><p>(I know I got on her last nerve).</p><p>It was just one of those "And suddenlys" in my life. I wasn't really happy in my old position at all. And I had purposed in 2022 to apply for at least a position per year, as a way to just keep my CV/resume current. I tend to try to wrap my finite logic mind around things, and there is no need to do that. Count those good things as blessings, and as the start of new chapters in my life. </p><p>So I have spent this time just working to get adjusted. For some odd reason, this caused me to lose interest in things that I like to do, like writing and crocheting. This was the first year that I didn't crochet that much. I think I made 3 adult blankets and one baby blanket. That is a little short of my usual. And I didn't write much at all this year... maybe two short stories. I think two stories were published, but I haven't even kept up with that like I should. Ugh. </p><p>So...</p><p>2024 is going to be a year of getting back to doing more of what I like to do, in the midst of adjusting to my new work position. I turn 54 this year, and I am looking forward to that. My motto for 2024 is </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">Be Intentional... On Purpose</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">I will be intentional concerning my prayers and goals. I will be intentional concerning my family and friends. I will just be intentional... on purpose. </p><p>Leaving 2023 behind, but carrying the lessons learned into a New Year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OlHRO7SdHBdHUAa9GtCJ8dtzMz9rUI-2GHFgPFkYZa61JN90gFPIsRD8Wp5fWM8p4DcOykOzWnJmqVkRA19vBz2EBelSjTXlFeGljhRqGVV2VVjaK3qzFUDusedNkZ_i8Wa6IcW8O6qdx32BfMckzU3WiPeYEeos1obYsSA1nPy5csvTOhAgOA/s1024/new%20year%20photo2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OlHRO7SdHBdHUAa9GtCJ8dtzMz9rUI-2GHFgPFkYZa61JN90gFPIsRD8Wp5fWM8p4DcOykOzWnJmqVkRA19vBz2EBelSjTXlFeGljhRqGVV2VVjaK3qzFUDusedNkZ_i8Wa6IcW8O6qdx32BfMckzU3WiPeYEeos1obYsSA1nPy5csvTOhAgOA/w400-h266/new%20year%20photo2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I can't wait to see what the year 2024 brings. </p><p><br /></p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-42812455314240922932023-02-07T23:53:00.004-05:002023-02-07T23:53:49.837-05:00Happy 53rd Birthday to ME!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
Here we go... Birthday<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="color: #04ff00;">53</span></b></span>!!<div><br /></div><div>Glory!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>I turnt <span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"><b>53</b></span> today! YAY!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a good day. A LONG day. I am not as young as I use to be, able to run these ATL streets to and fro, but I did my best! </div><div><br /></div><div>I went out to lunch as always with my bestie LadyTee. It is harder these days, as I refuse to sit down and eat in a restaurant with Covid still running wild in these streets. The restaurant we went to was crowded for lunch. We sat on the balcony. We were the only ones out there. I was so cold. But the food was good, and we were safe. </div><div><br /></div><div>More on that in a later post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, I want to talk about the wonderful gifts I received. </div><div><br /></div><div>I never expect gifts. I am thankful for the Happy Birthday wishes. And I am not part of any "turnt up" crew of women, so there are no girl trips, no drunken brunches, no fancy parties, none of that. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am thankful for completing yet another year of life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get me wrong, though. I am thankful for my gifts, and here they are!</div><div><br /></div><div>Three planters from my Tiktok sis Shun! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAQ9n40vDn5ibYgSFiGE5F-t10J0S-X7pJcqBp-QNGjxmLUPZCsWIL9gWeWrulqKHAfpwFrc70FH9x8IxMV7t9GsAlcbCGnPhyphenhyphendv_ZlZGSvrCjrPSig5t1WFVpkQwhm1yXNbrCA/s1600/1675830978085774-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAQ9n40vDn5ibYgSFiGE5F-t10J0S-X7pJcqBp-QNGjxmLUPZCsWIL9gWeWrulqKHAfpwFrc70FH9x8IxMV7t9GsAlcbCGnPhyphenhyphendv_ZlZGSvrCjrPSig5t1WFVpkQwhm1yXNbrCA/s1600/1675830978085774-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOFbpOGBLggq7BdvT9blyg6lh0xDKeGbDCw_zw6Sm1jAENAc5HtO9LkJmGBpRmRkENHcZeZdF0oXb43hwRK-jsqbdR8NhnY0WjEKrDzREBwG5iDC82zJb7juFNIUndelfuEQS-A/s1600/1675830976794978-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOFbpOGBLggq7BdvT9blyg6lh0xDKeGbDCw_zw6Sm1jAENAc5HtO9LkJmGBpRmRkENHcZeZdF0oXb43hwRK-jsqbdR8NhnY0WjEKrDzREBwG5iDC82zJb7juFNIUndelfuEQS-A/s1600/1675830976794978-2.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div></div><div><br /></div><div>There were also some dried flowers there. They are seeds. This weekend, I'm gonna pull some soil out the garage and plant them! And watch them grow. That's gonna be a fun project. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>She also gave me a tote bag with my first initial on the front. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8SJhZGLyLdf40XENzcE0bYkY58M1ALtM_E3d5XLHSkmqw54Qmo2N80O2odMoC0MmylJAdGD_3GuUqNylVDZ1hqwc-bM1ruTQECeWxBDmAc1OLrYP39nHr3zOaxyU-kp_z2ysfw/s1600/1675830975562786-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8SJhZGLyLdf40XENzcE0bYkY58M1ALtM_E3d5XLHSkmqw54Qmo2N80O2odMoC0MmylJAdGD_3GuUqNylVDZ1hqwc-bM1ruTQECeWxBDmAc1OLrYP39nHr3zOaxyU-kp_z2ysfw/s1600/1675830975562786-3.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>I LOVE IT. I am calling it my "A-Gucci" bag! My mind is swirling with what I will place in it. And it's a lot. A whole lot. LoL.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bestie Cowgirl Cre gave me some lovely books and a pair of embroidery scissors.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8BNVS3NE8_gKc_ZKm1Ihp0B0Sf1mFrhX3LtLMp-fDTVRep7FrR2josdalbLabk113fC7IkqdFMlZmRu3N_HDeALFvaygNPE4FsfnpgT2fIVSqNPFkMtcK1tkAnIS20DmoPQTGg/s1600/1675830974115817-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8BNVS3NE8_gKc_ZKm1Ihp0B0Sf1mFrhX3LtLMp-fDTVRep7FrR2josdalbLabk113fC7IkqdFMlZmRu3N_HDeALFvaygNPE4FsfnpgT2fIVSqNPFkMtcK1tkAnIS20DmoPQTGg/s1600/1675830974115817-4.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div></div><div><br /></div><div>A crochet book and some vegetarian recipe books. My mind is swirling. Let's just say, ALL of this will keep me super busy.</div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite author in the whole wide world, the great Tayari Jones, sent me some flowers. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz_5c-SvGk3MRxaC3111itD-uK_kLdXJv7FpDqh1-BHYfPYC5RPNJzqV4c21WJgyjYg5wDcxjxlbiysKtmVHpegWO77lxh7slEmcBdYfK5rQ-vLQM-o3-w5gOqfjXa9sbcI83Sg/s1600/1675830972288035-5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz_5c-SvGk3MRxaC3111itD-uK_kLdXJv7FpDqh1-BHYfPYC5RPNJzqV4c21WJgyjYg5wDcxjxlbiysKtmVHpegWO77lxh7slEmcBdYfK5rQ-vLQM-o3-w5gOqfjXa9sbcI83Sg/s1600/1675830972288035-5.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHVIXEw6kAN_HU-_LxK7r3lnS-QNO_BL20fARX0d2x5twhLS4evs0XP-B0FAQkbTH70NFyZyM2eDjgBudFnnTMgoOEtGdAR545F70l5BZ1wu5s4bw9nHgll60J-iC0P1EQLqhuQ/s1600/1675830970765825-6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHVIXEw6kAN_HU-_LxK7r3lnS-QNO_BL20fARX0d2x5twhLS4evs0XP-B0FAQkbTH70NFyZyM2eDjgBudFnnTMgoOEtGdAR545F70l5BZ1wu5s4bw9nHgll60J-iC0P1EQLqhuQ/s1600/1675830970765825-6.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div></div><div><br /></div><div>She gives the best flowers. I placed them on the floor for Sister Callie Jo and Big Mitch to smell. I can't leave them there, or they will eat them. SMH. They smelled the roses and went on about their way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier on my birthday morning, I got a message from UberEats stating that I had a gift on the way. One of my coworkers, Lady S, sent me some doughnuts. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfU3Ppu9ZVao3cogdpGTXDzUpY-SmZc14HuWMwRVkvshl-toXSL_v5CfIvF231-2e5GxvnDGNs0KwOwyUCXQoDn7CZ2BlGJPMKOJRXiZLRjd5qqycC0uhezrawyyQUmu7qMporg/s1600/1675830969171536-7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfU3Ppu9ZVao3cogdpGTXDzUpY-SmZc14HuWMwRVkvshl-toXSL_v5CfIvF231-2e5GxvnDGNs0KwOwyUCXQoDn7CZ2BlGJPMKOJRXiZLRjd5qqycC0uhezrawyyQUmu7qMporg/s1600/1675830969171536-7.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kUJRXf8rKdBglrWueS0J5vVCvf03osaPqYd3cEmyIz0FrwnUaviSayVppfuP8r15ZYXmuC7AUfVKlWRfy-CNFF5ZKdwYSMQ3Fjon6s5wU-7Je_YZjqjmPJ3T7GccKQ307sZ0Jw/s1600/1675830967447839-8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kUJRXf8rKdBglrWueS0J5vVCvf03osaPqYd3cEmyIz0FrwnUaviSayVppfuP8r15ZYXmuC7AUfVKlWRfy-CNFF5ZKdwYSMQ3Fjon6s5wU-7Je_YZjqjmPJ3T7GccKQ307sZ0Jw/s1600/1675830967447839-8.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Sublime doughnuts are top-tier gourmet, and considered the best doughnut in the city. And they are super pricey! What a treat. I get a sugar high just looking at them! I think I may have to freeze some of them because that's a lot of sugar. Good thing they hold up well in the fridge. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last but not least, BFF LadyTee gave me a mini-pressure washer. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIFVKwimpdgCTpQrWPOTGp0_ltr55Qg0GIZwC_yTgHlvHzjQx_9HJseA2kdB-ve96Z0Kvr_iGiHjYtPXHnkR1W1irHLaj2vlAPhtNbfYxv9mqfLdHGJabaPxQhfBsuvFJVpGhEA/s1600/1675830965363327-9.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIFVKwimpdgCTpQrWPOTGp0_ltr55Qg0GIZwC_yTgHlvHzjQx_9HJseA2kdB-ve96Z0Kvr_iGiHjYtPXHnkR1W1irHLaj2vlAPhtNbfYxv9mqfLdHGJabaPxQhfBsuvFJVpGhEA/s1600/1675830965363327-9.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We were talking recently and she said I mentioned a pressure washer, so she decided to get me one. And strangely enough, it was a brand I had been researching. I wanted something small that was easy to handle. And this will do just fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>My porch is in need of a good washing. Gonna see how that works out! </div><div><br /></div><div>How's that for gifts? And like I said, I never expect them. Always grateful for the kindness of friends... gifts or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>I spent my early morning doing chores and praying and pondering my year. I thought about what has went well and what hasn't. And I thought about what I want from myself emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically over the next year. Heck, this was the first day in a long time that I didn't watch any television until evening time. It felt good not to take in so much craziness from the news. I got a good chance to be quiet and just think and examine my well being. I must do this more often.</div><div><br /></div><div>That right there was the gift I gave myself today.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I am so much better for it. So much better. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have an interview tomorrow, so I guess it is back to business as usual. And that is fine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because I am here...</div><div><br /></div><div>Starting my 53rd year. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that's a good thing!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am going to be happy about it! </div><div><br /></div><div><i>On purpose!!</i></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-69169001063984359192023-01-11T18:26:00.005-05:002023-01-11T18:26:43.713-05:00Welcome to 2023! <i>Look at this steak. </i><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkoDSTteMEmF4F7AT2HRG3UYYAgTlkA-hSbvJxiyGy3w9x6XWo7VhP6h1ma0BReBdYnQG6jB9vOCuwQP7ah7s0ZBcNo9Q4jvs6lSabYXq18-9lNMo3OBBZuncYQrTd2tEqiAhvw/s1600/1673471850925780-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkoDSTteMEmF4F7AT2HRG3UYYAgTlkA-hSbvJxiyGy3w9x6XWo7VhP6h1ma0BReBdYnQG6jB9vOCuwQP7ah7s0ZBcNo9Q4jvs6lSabYXq18-9lNMo3OBBZuncYQrTd2tEqiAhvw/s1600/1673471850925780-0.png" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">How beautiful is that steak? It has to be the most beautifullest steak I have ever seen. (Is "beautifullest" a word? Not sure.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But it is lovely. And look at those sauces. I can't even tell you what they are. I recognize one of them as an herb butter of some sort? Anyway, they all look delicious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I saw this on Facebook, posted by an foodie influencer named Chimetime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He also posted the receipt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6533FxAsFU5AZ-qn_X_LHMpL8_vFzPknYT_gfZJ5OuvNLKdSQtf3rsBWGxplORXM_4FipSXBBIswf0vpjy1sMJ9PAEkL_ZVdrrQndEHP5SaXTu2ipnIMa_kRXzgVgnWXOQwDULg/s1600/1673471849143025-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6533FxAsFU5AZ-qn_X_LHMpL8_vFzPknYT_gfZJ5OuvNLKdSQtf3rsBWGxplORXM_4FipSXBBIswf0vpjy1sMJ9PAEkL_ZVdrrQndEHP5SaXTu2ipnIMa_kRXzgVgnWXOQwDULg/s1600/1673471849143025-1.png" width="400" />
</a></div></div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">
$1000!!</span></b><div><br /></div><div> $1000 for a steak!
</div><div><br /></div><div>GLORY!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to 2023!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Is this how we're living in 2023! </div><div><br /></div><div>Man. Now I have seen Tomahawk steaks for $100 dollars or more. But I looked into it, and this seems to be that special Wagyu steak. That is top of the line. </div><div><br /></div><div>That steak was not cut from a City of Atlanta cow. Nope. </div><div><br /></div><div>So say I go ahead could splurge on a steak this expensive. I am lost with the gratuity. The tax is crazy too. Almost $300 in tax and gratuity. I think that would mess it up for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, this has to be a DREAM for a true foodie. To be able to say you had a $1000 steak is definitely an accomplishment. And it better be the greatest steak ever made, because this particular foodie will tell it like it is! But that is something else. </div><div><br /></div><div>I myself would've left off the bread and bottled water. That's an extra $20. But wait, might as well buy the bread and water if you can afford a $1000 steak, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder what the ubereats total would be? I wonder if the steak would even make it to my front door?</div><div><br /></div><div>LOL</div><div><br /></div><div>I told my friend if she hears me talking about how I had this steak, she should know that I ran out on the bill. Time that waitress delivers that bill and disappears, I'm dipping out!</div><div><br /></div><div>And this fine steak is a reminder of how good people are living. I know this has to be the regular for some wealthy folks, where $1000 is the same as $10. And this must be a good price point and in demand because it wouldn't be that expensive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy that $1000 steak, brother. I can't wait for the steak review! </div><div><br /></div><div>For that price, it better be <i>beyond</i> fantastic!</div><div><br /></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-68957181021856706222022-12-31T22:12:00.001-05:002022-12-31T22:12:45.962-05:00The Last Day of the Year 2022<p> Alas!</p><p>The last day of <b><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">2022</span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;"> </span></b>has arrived. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAZkEni62o4Ueb2P3-pwM47dRQv0qE7AlhyK3mY5YC0ipgy2qPPCuiBSEkdt1k7jWsKrfwAzzl3l7V4xkVaySQHew2pCSl9jbDfIWE0ZTGQqp6XabuwoLVwO6VKKqIK7uwgY1cz9_v-BXFzqhKq8G3SP5GZtE_PcnD8eCAWl4JYT-KGsKVdU/s959/2022%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="959" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAZkEni62o4Ueb2P3-pwM47dRQv0qE7AlhyK3mY5YC0ipgy2qPPCuiBSEkdt1k7jWsKrfwAzzl3l7V4xkVaySQHew2pCSl9jbDfIWE0ZTGQqp6XabuwoLVwO6VKKqIK7uwgY1cz9_v-BXFzqhKq8G3SP5GZtE_PcnD8eCAWl4JYT-KGsKVdU/w400-h191/2022%20pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>And the way things are going in this world, it is a miracle to make it to this day. I say that when we still have covid and mass shootings going on to the point where we have become pretty much desensitized to it all. So it's a good thing to make it this far. And I have to remind myself daily, that so many more good events happen than the bad. And it just seems like the "bad" takes over because that is what gets magnified.</p><p>Alas, made it through all of that. </p><p>I like to look at the mental, physical, and spiritual of my year. I usually do long posts on each, but since I haven't been posting much, I will just touch on some of these things here, mostly for my own personal reasons. So good to be able to look back year after year and see what has changed. So good to see where I need to grow, and what I have conquered. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Physical</span></b></i>.</span> This year has been interesting. Up until mid-February, I had lost about 70 pounds. That was such a big accomplishment for me. I had even gotten up to walking between three to five miles a day, at least five to six times per week. I was the strongest I had been in years. </p><p>Then I banged my knee. I was stooping down to pick up something off the floor, and my knee hit the ground. The bad thing about this is that I have osteoarthritis, and that exasperated it. So I was hobbled for a couple of months. Then I went to an orthopedic surgeon and got an injection. And I was alright, where that summer I could walk a couple of miles a day. We figured out I had sciatica, and that has caused some issues. For the past three months, I have had an ankle problem. They figured out that I didn't have a bone stress or messed up ligaments or tendons. It is moreso a sciatica nerve issue. </p><p>Ugh. Okay. </p><p>So, the big thing now is to walk through the pain. I have a pain medication prescription (tramadol), but ooh child, I do not want to fool around with that. I ain't trying to addicted to no craziness! No. </p><p>I have managed to walk a mile last week without much of an issue. I think I will work on that again, starting in the New Year. I have gained about 15 of my pounds back due to such drastically reduced activity, and I can feel it. I cannot stand the feeling. So the goal is to get back on track. I will walk regularly again. I will celebrate a pain-free One mile like it is one hundred miles. </p><p><i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Mental</span></b>.</i> I think a lot. I mean, that is what working from home does to me. I have been working from home since March 2020. I have worked onsite around five time in these past two years. I needed to go in so I could see how a return to work would look, i.e., how to get to work, how it would affect me emotionally and psychologically, etc. But most of what I do is mere paperwork, and it is easier to stay at home. </p><p>Alone.</p><p>But I have been on my job 24.5 years. I not only have coworkers, but some of those coworkers are friends. Sure, we have technology and all, but I have to admit that I miss my <i>friends</i>. Ones I work with, and my years-long friends in my everyday life. It takes a psychological toll here and there. Thank goodness it is not overwhelming, though. </p><p>It is the "alone" part that I have had to adjust to. I miss my friends, and I am working on staying away from having covid. So I have had to manage alone. And as a result, like I said... I think a lot. </p><p>I really miss my life as it existed 40 years ago, when I was little and the older members of my family were alive. These days, our family does not get together, so it is what it is. It makes holidays a bit tough, in that I just want them to pass. But I must admit that some of the holidays I have had alone in the past three years of pandemic have been some of the most memorable ever. And I am so thankful for that. </p><p>I think what is most mentally frightening is being afraid of the future at times, not knowing what the future brings. Just hoping that I can support myself, not have financial issues, etc. I have broken some 25-year-old rules I have set up for myself in these matters over the past year, and I have to work on getting back to following my own rules. So that has been a focus as of late that I am working on now, and on into 2023.</p><p>This has been an awful writing year for me. I think it is because I am a bit perturbed by the submission process and how silly it is. Yes, I have been submitting some writing this year. I think I have to get over the mental chaos of it all. My stories are precious to me, and for some reason, I like keeping them to myself. I don't like just putting it out there. I have to get over that mental hurdle. </p><p>I do need to get past some of the anxiety I sometimes experience. Much of that comes from watching the news. How can I not help it? So much is going on, and for goodness sake, I am hoping to turn the television on one day and see an announcement of covid being over! (I can dream, can't I?) But what's crazy is that all those news reports... they are seeds. I need better seeds. Seeds of hope. Seeds that are good for my mind.</p><p><b><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: medium;"><i>Spiritual.</i></span></b> You know, the best times of my day are when I wake up and finally roll out of bed and get myself together, and go downstairs (depending on whether I sleep upstairs in a spare bedroom, as that has been my preference for 30% of the year... My master bedroom is downstairs), and it is just... quiet. </p><p>No TV on, none of that. Just pure quiet. I may take that time to pick up whatever crochet project I am working on, and spend time praying. That is such a great beginning to my day. This does not happen too often. Oh my goodness, where would I be if this was going on <i>daily?</i></p><p>Likewise, my other favorite time of the day is before I shut everything down and head for bed. The little swatch of time is prayer time also. I am so thankful to have completed another day of life, whether I have had a very productive day or not. </p><p>Something else that has helped me spiritually is that during the pandemic my pastor has a daily 30 minute encouragement and confessions time on Facebook. During this time, I am listening and writing out my itinerary/to do list for the day. It has really helped my heart and gives me something to think about. </p><p>This has been a year of A LOT of answered prayer. If I wrote about it all, it would take me several days to write it all out. I tend to write about it in my private journals. I like to keep a record of such.. and I can go back and read it all when I get anxious or worried about things. </p><p>But that is that. Those are my thoughts. </p><p>I don't blog much, as blogging is not the thing to do these days. But I need to for my own personal reasons. I can't tell you how many times how easy it has been to come over here and grab a picture or an old blog post for someone. This blog has been such a treasure trove for me. </p><p>And it was good for my mental to take a snapshot of what's going on with me now, so I can pinpoint where I can improve. This is all over the place, and I am not going to go back and edit. That will take all night, lol. But it is a survey of what's on my mind... right here, right now. </p><p>So I am happy to say goodbye to 2022. You have been good to me. </p><p>VERY good.</p><p>I can hope for as much in 2023. </p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-15479319689442554562022-09-11T21:23:00.000-04:002022-09-11T21:44:36.067-04:0021 Years Later
It has been 21 years since the worst terrorist attack on American soil.<div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hu6LXAels7-TKES-s4KtMwNQteVbAfUX3xAfahMPMHw_4PHVG4VAXUSW7LXra0VuRsNXA1dZVKeFnpEcXk9tBwVDVEezlmdOgDt8lMEnPJIZozv5mxRgExgX-BckNMQPK7jHJQ/s1600/1662943772961230-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hu6LXAels7-TKES-s4KtMwNQteVbAfUX3xAfahMPMHw_4PHVG4VAXUSW7LXra0VuRsNXA1dZVKeFnpEcXk9tBwVDVEezlmdOgDt8lMEnPJIZozv5mxRgExgX-BckNMQPK7jHJQ/s1600/1662943772961230-0.png" width="400"></a></div>
</div><div><br></div>
That is a long time ago, but right now, I am watching a special on the National Geographic Channel, and it sure is bringing back some memories, making if feel like it happened yesterday. <div><br></div><div> All I know, one thing is a constant when I think of the events of 911. And that is, I continue to be SHOCKED that this type of craziness does not happen often in the USA. We have had terrorist activity since then, but not on this scale. I am thankful for that, because I don't think we as a country could mentally handle it. I know I couldn't. </div><div><br></div><div> But it is one of those days where we all remember where we were and what we were doing. I have been on my current job for 21 years now, but back then, I had only been on the job for three weeks. I was at a regulatory course in Denver at the time. I was stunned and momentarily confused about how I would get home. I got home later that week, on a Friday. My plane had been delayed by close to two hours. I remember other coworkers who were headed home to New York had worse delays. </div><div><br></div><div>But my prayer was to get back home to Atlanta, period.
And I did.
But I do remember the sense of uneasiness I had for a couple of days before taking my flight that Sunday, September 9th, 2001, to the training from Atlanta to Denver. I have not felt that type of uneasiness since, just some unexplainable uneasiness. And then when the tragedy happened, I remember saying aloud... <i>that's</i> what it is. That's why I have been beside myself. </div><div><br></div><div>My Pastor mentioned these feelings some two weeks later. It was a hard unsettling in the spirit. I was glad to have it explained. So if I feel that away again, I know what it means. And I must say, I don't want to ever feel that way again. Ever.</div><div><br></div><div>But now I just take time to think about it. </div><div><br></div><div>21 years later now. </div><div><br></div><div>And the hard lesson I have learned is that not only what happened that day was such an awful tragedy, but the <i>residual effects</i> of the tragedy are devastating in their own right. So many families who lost loved ones were changed forever, the emotional loss still felt 'til this present day. I know the wounds are still fresh. Will they ever heal?</div><div><br></div><div>I whisper a prayer for them. </div><div><br></div><div>And I pray for our country. </div><div><br></div><div>As we take time to remember this day. </div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-69924822822418580562022-08-30T23:51:00.001-04:002022-08-30T23:51:32.894-04:00Back to Normal...Back to normal? <div><br /></div><div>Not quite. </div><div><br /></div><div> So it has been some two-and-a-half years of working from home. </div><div><br /></div><div> Ugh.</div><div><br /></div><div> I would have never THOUGHT such a thing could ever happen in my line of work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I have been to work three times in the last three months. It was a cumbersome clumsy return, to say the least. I refuse to sit in a cubicle area of some thirty people, so I had to find somewhere else in the building to sit. I had to make sure I had everything I needed before leaving the house, like my hand sanitizer and wipes to clean off the surface of wherever I found to sit. I needed a rolling briefcase for my laptop. Extra masks... Ugh! </div><div><br /></div><div>It was more than a notion.</div><div><br /></div><div>About a year and a half ago, there was a big laptop update, where it was time for a new laptop. I didn't want to go to work for mine, so our IT people mailed it overnight to me. I have had the old laptop since then, and our inventory guy needed it to be turned in. So I went to work this past Sunday to leave it on my cubicle desk for him to pick up.</div><div><br /></div><div>The thing is, I hadn't been to my cubicle since early 2020. </div><div><br /></div><div>So like I said, I went in this past Sunday. It is good to live only 5 miles from work, but I sat in Sunday traffic nevertheless (Yes, there is bumper to bumper traffic on Sundays in Atlanta). </div><div><br /></div><div>When I went in, there were only two people there on the sign-in sheet, but they were in another part of the building. I signed in, and took the elevator up to the third floor. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I realized I had left my mask in the car. </div><div><br /></div><div>O_O!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't want to go back out and get it, so... oh well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived at the door to my cubicle area. The lights were on, so that meant someone was around. I think I even heard someone tapping away on the keys of their laptop. I didn't even bother to investigate. I just wanted to leave my computer and get out of there quickly. </div><div><br /></div><div>But once I arrived to my cubicle, I looked around for a few minutes. It was just as I left it. People had left gifts from the past couple of Christmas' on the desk. Someone had left their child's graduation announcement. The month prior to the pandemic, my workgroup had thrown me a 50th birthday party, so the old big number "5" and "0" balloons were there (deflated now). </div><div><br /></div><div>But something I saw made me pause: The calendar on wall of my cubicle. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIWpitr6-B4b_ESdAZ1kSTmpbfiXz0ERu_Oa721SeXyRMaML3Y9a-MpsLLvUAJ54IcqE4IkKrJXMLvgUpkpgvdogtmV8_n_erN6ZL_vjE4qdDFdl2kq37jJTm1u4Qmb8XWc1zLA/s1600/1661915616681181-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIWpitr6-B4b_ESdAZ1kSTmpbfiXz0ERu_Oa721SeXyRMaML3Y9a-MpsLLvUAJ54IcqE4IkKrJXMLvgUpkpgvdogtmV8_n_erN6ZL_vjE4qdDFdl2kq37jJTm1u4Qmb8XWc1zLA/s1600/1661915616681181-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>It gave me goosebumps. It was so... eerie.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Eerie.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>March 2020. I don't know why that creeped me out so bad. I think the gravity of it all hit me. I had not been at my desk in over two years!</div><div><br /></div><div>Two whole years. It's really been over two years since this whole pandemic started.</div><div><br /></div><div>And yet at the same time, I felt some since of... normalcy. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was a realization in that very moment that things can possibly go back to normal, where I can wake up every morning and go to work and sit in my own space, my own cubicle once again. </div><div><br /></div><div>I stared at the calendar for a minute or two. I straightened it up, as it was slightly askew, and a thumbtack had fell from one corner. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think I will keep it as a reminder of all that has happened. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not quite sure I will be sitting there for awhile, though. </div><div><br /></div><div>My plan is to go back to work in person on a regular basis in September, even though I am only doing paperwork and can easily work from home. My management does not seem to be pressed about my return. But I would like to return to laboratory work. I miss it so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I just want to get back to normal. On purpose. </div><div><br /></div><div>Someday, I hope this whole pandemic will be over... and normal will be the true order of the day. </div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-77352969256857145722022-02-28T21:49:00.001-05:002022-02-28T21:49:07.338-05:00Last Day of Black History Month 2022This is your last day to learn something new for black History month.<div><br></div><div>My nephew transformed himself into Martin Luther King. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C2j02PGQ7swqsszks7BFZYsw6vB7klXluCv8oexbnuLmmekffAWJQlGk8Rg370b-qyrpU1tyOMBGGsQuD7ro9gSlImSTPqlFqtdCn9VQu2WmT6fOyL1Q6wuOWgPQENh-7bOqeQ/s1600/1646102945121545-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C2j02PGQ7swqsszks7BFZYsw6vB7klXluCv8oexbnuLmmekffAWJQlGk8Rg370b-qyrpU1tyOMBGGsQuD7ro9gSlImSTPqlFqtdCn9VQu2WmT6fOyL1Q6wuOWgPQENh-7bOqeQ/s1600/1646102945121545-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYcb-DwjREBsgdmTh_2vGQPY3fpeO-MtlZB7GVZYnZgOUU65bOGH-cCnYiydm22uK3rQAzlfrrhwdC7G6cYHKDGewfYb-LmhP33nYxLtvo1IcVR-0cH3kbGS81LfU2srJZWH68A/s1600/1646102943439552-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYcb-DwjREBsgdmTh_2vGQPY3fpeO-MtlZB7GVZYnZgOUU65bOGH-cCnYiydm22uK3rQAzlfrrhwdC7G6cYHKDGewfYb-LmhP33nYxLtvo1IcVR-0cH3kbGS81LfU2srJZWH68A/s1600/1646102943439552-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Me? I read a book for Black History Month..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87bNdy0TrWYO5JPWJK2GYJmowiyctsnV0oa5KXfTYgAJ0ckkalHEZm0aRdk8KFKp9_akBBP5GyjL-xOt940za60JpxP5h-lXi_DP5oYCky7ETJyuu7fNm1zwunNCdFainCCy1BA/s1600/1646102941664567-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87bNdy0TrWYO5JPWJK2GYJmowiyctsnV0oa5KXfTYgAJ0ckkalHEZm0aRdk8KFKp9_akBBP5GyjL-xOt940za60JpxP5h-lXi_DP5oYCky7ETJyuu7fNm1zwunNCdFainCCy1BA/s1600/1646102941664567-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div><br></div><div>It took me 26 days to finish it. Exhausting. </div><div><br></div><div>But I learned a lot.</div><div><br></div><div>I give it 3 out of 5 stars. I may talk about it later. Hmm. </div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-51607904604074223912022-02-14T20:34:00.001-05:002022-02-14T20:34:34.423-05:00Happy Valentine's Day 2022! Happy Valentine's Day to You! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfWE-j9eLCqIddJikCmEQCECxxVcF2gBXG8Mrxk_wojPpH08d9BrqZqcHtmI1q7KMOvWRCWqN1y5ld5Jm_2johPi6yAmRHvNrQ3-F3wYJOAZUhdRHZkrblsxnGrD78QQtaSNwyA/s1600/1644888872020530-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfWE-j9eLCqIddJikCmEQCECxxVcF2gBXG8Mrxk_wojPpH08d9BrqZqcHtmI1q7KMOvWRCWqN1y5ld5Jm_2johPi6yAmRHvNrQ3-F3wYJOAZUhdRHZkrblsxnGrD78QQtaSNwyA/s1600/1644888872020530-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div><br></div><div>Valentine's Day 2022 is amongst us. It has been a good day. I had a doctor's appointment today. It went alright, but I am squeamish these days about sitting in a full waiting room. Sigh. But I was double masked with a cloth mask with inserts over a KN95. That is all I can do. </div><div><br></div><div>I did a little Walmart shopping at a Walmart that pretty much forces you to check out your own grocery. I prefer to go to a real cashier, just to support their job. But oh well. I am getting use to that.</div><div><br></div><div>I came home and worked for awhile. Imagine my surprise looking out the window and seeing something moving slowly up the street...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB59NFT_roQal0cGv3LltQHG3ECo0lSGDwY3v-cBE0PQz_2UyItbMat4BUbojHi_96nbwSQapnn7DOp9EbYDK9Pehwp1tT9jnO5cxySTVE8Ek0bG_zd5JY7EsVz7xCiUz3PFMxg/s1600/1644888869615371-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB59NFT_roQal0cGv3LltQHG3ECo0lSGDwY3v-cBE0PQz_2UyItbMat4BUbojHi_96nbwSQapnn7DOp9EbYDK9Pehwp1tT9jnO5cxySTVE8Ek0bG_zd5JY7EsVz7xCiUz3PFMxg/s1600/1644888869615371-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGv4JHL6CeuD3rBUOYiApK6turVbh03quZPo96RQFQ98CeJj5qfHcXsxruSItkoD7XHCUvT2n1TeJs4XarSmo3hsCYD9UggmbtC5JoF8TUwt-aaKc64xkqz24IE2F0n22PgmRyw/s1600/1644888867161127-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGv4JHL6CeuD3rBUOYiApK6turVbh03quZPo96RQFQ98CeJj5qfHcXsxruSItkoD7XHCUvT2n1TeJs4XarSmo3hsCYD9UggmbtC5JoF8TUwt-aaKc64xkqz24IE2F0n22PgmRyw/s1600/1644888867161127-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div><br></div><div>The mounted police!</div><div><br></div><div>They are in the neighborhood, but I usually see them on the toney side of the neighborhood. Never on my street. And I think it is a good way to get out and interact with the people in the neighborhood. The quiet brothers across the street had a good convo and petted the horses. I wish my nephew Justin was here. He would have loved that.</div><div><br></div><div>I see the mounted police from time to time. I have ended up driving behind them as they mosey along. I want to holler,<i> "Moooovvve!!",</i> but I don't dare blow my horn. I am not getting into it with the police or horses.</div><div><br></div><div>The children love them. They sing Lil' Nas X's "Old Town Road" to the Horses. It is quite interesting. </div><div><br></div><div>I left later on and went for a short walk. I did 2.50 miles today, which is a short walk for me. Lately I have been walking 4 miles. Imagine that! </div><div><br></div><div>My sister came over yesterday and we spent the better part of the day together. That is the best Valentine's Day present yet. I think we both needed some down time, and a little time together. We attended virtual church and we watched some TV. I was just happy to see my sister.</div><div><br></div><div>Let's hope that <i>next </i>Valentine's day this pandemic will be in the past.</div><div><br></div><div>Let's hope <i>AND </i>pray.<br></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-42138845487326890012022-02-07T23:14:00.001-05:002022-02-07T23:14:21.206-05:00Happy 52nd Birthday to ME<p><i>Today is my birthday. </i></p><p>And for days, you know what I've been wondering?</p><p>Who gets excited about Birthday #52?</p><p>I mean, the milestone birthdays, like Birthday #50 are all the rage.</p><p>But Birthday 52? </p><p>No such fanfare. </p><p>Anyway, I am happy for birthday #52. </p><p>I did not know what to expect, but oh well... </p><p>I am glad to be HERE. There are people who didn't even make it to age 52.</p><p>But I did. </p><p>And I am looking for what my next chapter in life will bring. </p><p>As for the question above, my response is that I will get excited by birthday #52.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hK5TzIcjsxUSAuJur9jsO4IAGSjxyBxVxRGF9hO9uFkcJFxC1_Diu_73X6tmRFCSrtm-K6pY7Xa3VKZrhtcXazwNYm9BHmCJjd7DlXlRsgZRQgof5GW1IL-mraRlGjbqj60KAw/s1600/1644293344389384-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hK5TzIcjsxUSAuJur9jsO4IAGSjxyBxVxRGF9hO9uFkcJFxC1_Diu_73X6tmRFCSrtm-K6pY7Xa3VKZrhtcXazwNYm9BHmCJjd7DlXlRsgZRQgof5GW1IL-mraRlGjbqj60KAw/w413-h640/1644293344389384-0.png" width="413" />
</a>
</div><p></p><p>Yes, Happy Birthday to ME. </p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-58383386902794267592022-02-03T22:38:00.000-05:002022-02-03T22:38:24.704-05:00A Bit of Snow... And Three Lawn BagsIt snowed once in January in the ATL! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwQEtNkZDxAb-KY_UlrRxNP5dxRTSYQGm_srwhbgq58f3nQ31eFAEMVwXP8ojy6iyPSQ6thpj07WlTX3Q83tdytbu4Jtd5r9Je74n47L8734eV6yrOYkCqWQQuUawD9QnHZdPRyl9sD-8MKI9AfjwxFjeelpbvYbSJdSPsEJBsEQ7JxIlX0wc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwQEtNkZDxAb-KY_UlrRxNP5dxRTSYQGm_srwhbgq58f3nQ31eFAEMVwXP8ojy6iyPSQ6thpj07WlTX3Q83tdytbu4Jtd5r9Je74n47L8734eV6yrOYkCqWQQuUawD9QnHZdPRyl9sD-8MKI9AfjwxFjeelpbvYbSJdSPsEJBsEQ7JxIlX0wc" width="400">
</a>
</div><div>I opened the storm door and took a picture. There was no way I was going out in the cold. No Sir. No Ma'am.</div><div><br></div><div>Those bags are my lawn leaf bags.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDnyWV8_F8bMB5N_K9JLELrmlpyT2NgHxteGmVNIobu6OxserYTvfu2uHSS3WZpT4UxzvP7f9l9QiEUKFIpxTkOCEmzzO9TsoDTbyssNbmSSi8hZ7-YJo202CvQ_cQ6-QP32P9OBc7JkZSD2OfxtWIG-SGA0uv1V3TwyijpsryZ03DcpefFaQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDnyWV8_F8bMB5N_K9JLELrmlpyT2NgHxteGmVNIobu6OxserYTvfu2uHSS3WZpT4UxzvP7f9l9QiEUKFIpxTkOCEmzzO9TsoDTbyssNbmSSi8hZ7-YJo202CvQ_cQ6-QP32P9OBc7JkZSD2OfxtWIG-SGA0uv1V3TwyijpsryZ03DcpefFaQ" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>No, it wasn't worth going out and taking pictures. </div><div><br></div><div>But what is interesting here is my bags of leaves. </div><div><br></div><div>They have been out there since mid to late November. And it's only three bags. I have a new lawn guy who makes the leaves disappear. These three bags are from when my old lawn man swindled me and didn't do the work. I think he is too old to do my lawn now, and that's cool, but that was wrong for him to take my money. Needless to say, that's over now. </div><div><br></div><div>Back to the bags, though. They have been out there for a long time. I am not bothered by it because I have seen at least three different times on the news that there is a shortage of workers due to the pandemic. So the collection of regular trash is prioritized. They may pick up the recyclables here and there. But damn the lawn bags and trimmings. There simply not enough workers. </div><div><br></div><div>Now if I had this many bags, I may be a bit miffed. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhhhG6a5tsE2bIhFKvww9A19JpRIk9TU49OqlXrTd-0xYlr5esw1WoNxFvCLeXIEwGxkWqhWVfFuflOWPyOtQVjA5r81ufuqEhEjPpjbSVhqxdGgwradY0qDvyPx1hD2plw-Ygw/s1600/1643945891633449-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhhhG6a5tsE2bIhFKvww9A19JpRIk9TU49OqlXrTd-0xYlr5esw1WoNxFvCLeXIEwGxkWqhWVfFuflOWPyOtQVjA5r81ufuqEhEjPpjbSVhqxdGgwradY0qDvyPx1hD2plw-Ygw/s1600/1643945891633449-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>BUT what really bothers me is my neighborhood app... Man, these gentrifiers are going CRAZY. They don't give a damn about workers being sick with covid, just come get these bags. I mean they are going off. <br></div><div><br></div><div>But at the same time, this is also happening on the app:</div><div><br></div><div><i>"A squirrel fell out of a tree, what should I doooooo! I have to rebilatate it!"</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>"Oh, no! A possum is living on my porch! Poor thing, I want to help it! What should I dooooo!"</i></div><div>(And lo and behold, a picture of a possum in full attack mode, with ALL of its teeth is included)</div><div><br></div><div>Dogs and cats are lost...They coo and wail over these animals. </div><div><br></div><div>But they get pissed about lawn bags not being collected?</div><div><br></div><div>Knock it off. </div><div><br></div><div>I just want to comment in all caps, TAKE Y'ALL'S BEHINDS BACK TO THE SUBURBS!"</div><div><br></div><div>Inner city living is not for them. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm just saying. </div><div><br></div><div>But as for now, I will look out the window at my three bags of leaves. I know they will be gathered some day. </div><div><br></div><div><i>Better yet I just hope and pray that the workers get past their bouts with covid .</i></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-57725905800296305362022-01-17T08:20:00.001-05:002022-01-17T08:20:19.560-05:00Remembering MLK....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXX8fcT46MvoB5YlxJH530oSTGloeduz8RaNswxKTAQdxYNxW9iWLJ8e-tn5IhteqdYTs3hZ1BgRFj8nmf6t_ZMjfzuVAKuJU92kuFYAzf0QFbw30DpQ1eFXSLH6wF43l6AXhFq9UzW9Ip9N1nLF50wR-8zyPUSFJZgoyqD1GYhX8zBaEizrw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXX8fcT46MvoB5YlxJH530oSTGloeduz8RaNswxKTAQdxYNxW9iWLJ8e-tn5IhteqdYTs3hZ1BgRFj8nmf6t_ZMjfzuVAKuJU92kuFYAzf0QFbw30DpQ1eFXSLH6wF43l6AXhFq9UzW9Ip9N1nLF50wR-8zyPUSFJZgoyqD1GYhX8zBaEizrw" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div><div>Honoring Martin Luther King on this day.</div><div><br></div><div><i>Never forget.</i></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-35088707213762351732022-01-06T20:24:00.001-05:002022-01-06T20:24:23.887-05:00Thoughts on the January 6 InsurrectionThis was one of those days where everyone remembers exactly where they were when the mess went down.<div><br></div><div>I myself was on a zoom call in a workgroup meeting. It had to be around 1 o'clock in the afternoon. My boss was making announcements then going around to each employee for updates. </div><div><br></div><div>So as the meeting started, I had my tv on mute. I thought "Oh, they are marching to the Capitol. Look at the flags. Oh my." By the time the meeting winded down, I turned around and saw this on my TV. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQUqoejsGsd11L_5tQ7TdOoVXXQWIfDN3YbQ6tzlxiW0eD_cUY6jxkmY6HeqVsUWefkc03ktqPyZrcBDGX1j9dpE39tdS7zW7FkywJilgdT4uf2_58cwl7d66p_wckxg_DIIrzQ/s1600/1641518661202317-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQUqoejsGsd11L_5tQ7TdOoVXXQWIfDN3YbQ6tzlxiW0eD_cUY6jxkmY6HeqVsUWefkc03ktqPyZrcBDGX1j9dpE39tdS7zW7FkywJilgdT4uf2_58cwl7d66p_wckxg_DIIrzQ/s1600/1641518661202317-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>Man. They had strung up a noose. And I was thinking what the world is going on. They gonna hang somebody? Are you serious?</div><div><br></div><div>Then there was this fool...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK-vzmVTiO_LT9evW_58l-wqo35fVI8FBJiNw3JhqhOwcljPevYHbbECU8UBGxM9BV8GX0duSQLpwwUpnUr-AARAvsZ31T6xjNwJskhguTQiLUEz1WAppASaeZGxZh94BB7vEQg/s1600/1641518659706139-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK-vzmVTiO_LT9evW_58l-wqo35fVI8FBJiNw3JhqhOwcljPevYHbbECU8UBGxM9BV8GX0duSQLpwwUpnUr-AARAvsZ31T6xjNwJskhguTQiLUEz1WAppASaeZGxZh94BB7vEQg/s1600/1641518659706139-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>Wow...this is not happening.</div><div><br></div><div>I did not get any more work done that afternoon. I just watched what was going on in disbelief.</div><div><br></div><div>One year has passed. 704 folks arrested. Some are already jailed and serving time.</div><div><br></div><div>And I am still confused as to why the former president did not issue a blanket pardon for all these folks before he left office? Hmm. </div><div><br></div><div>Just left them out to dry.</div><div><br></div><div>Sigh. Thank goodness for the Capitol police and their ability to usher the congressman out to safety. These folks constructed gallows for hanging. This could have been so much worse. </div><div><br></div><div>And could you imagine the carnage if these were some black folk running up in the Capitol like that? Wow.</div><div><br></div><div>On a personal note, this causes me to examine my personal beliefs, associations, and philosophies. Do they place me me on a positive path or do they place me on the road to nowhere or... on the road to destruction? </div><div><br></div><div>How many people have actually grown better from their association with the former president? Relatively few. His kids made tons of money. But look at Guilianni, Bannon, the rioters, and all these other folks... careers trashed. Some folks are in jail or indicted. </div><div><br></div><div>And look at Pence. Ugh. </div><div><br></div><div>Makes me wonder what the end game is.</div><div><br></div><div>I have no idea.</div><div><br></div><div>All I know is this is one more tragic day that is forever etched in history.</div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-27147722985408945452022-01-05T21:58:00.003-05:002022-01-05T22:06:30.445-05:00Revelations and Rabbit HolesI try my best every year NOT to make "New Years Resolutions". Why? Because by January 10th, I am done and so over it! <div><br /></div><div>I don't need a resolution. I need a<i> revelation</i>. Some goal or action that frees my mind and reveals some things. Something that gives me the "ah-ha!" that I need. <br /><div><br /></div><div>I find that making a few goals, or even one small goal or intention, tends to stick. </div><div><br /></div><div>I only have one real goal right now. Well, but first, I have a smaller intention right now: be consistent in taking my medications and vitamins each morning and evening.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>*crickets*</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this may seem to be an easy and inconsequential thing. But I found myself in 2001 forming some unusual habits when it came to taking medication. I may take the morning ones any time after noontime.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even worse, I would think about taking my evening meds at a proper time. </div><div><br /></div><div>The interesting word here is... <i>think</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's say it's around 11 pm. I need to take my meds. BUT I will decide to just lay down for a minute and close my eyes. Take a nap of sorts. This is fine because I sleep no more than five to six hours a night. (Strange reasoning in my mind, I know). But I will end up waking up at midnight or thereabouts, and I would have to get up out of bed, go get some water, separate all my pills out, and take them. This takes some five minutes, but it pisses me off. I'd rather be in my warm bed, you see. </div><div><br /></div><div>So something simple as taking my meds at consistent times is a big deal to me. I needed to solve this problem.</div><div><br /></div><div>First it started out with separating all my pills into a morning/evening pill box out at the beginning of the week. This takes five minutes at most. Then I will just try to take them at good times... in the morning and at a couple of hours before I go to bed, when I am still lucid. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's it. That's all.</div><div><br /></div><div>This seems to be working out pretty well so far, and it brings me some sense of calm. Hard to explain. It feels like something I do not really have to think about.<i> (Did I take my meds yet? Did I skip one of my meds?)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Funny how something so simple calmed my nerves a little. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now the New Year Revelation I had that I want to accomplish:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Read quietly for one hour per day.</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>This too may sound super simple. But it is not. For me, that is. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remember some ten to fifteen years ago I would read forty or fifty books a year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now? In the past five years? I may have read four or five books a year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why is that? Because of all the constant distraction in my life. I am thinking about this pandemic. So I may watch upwards of four hours of news programs a day, wondering what the world is going on and when this will be over. Then there is social media. Facebook, tiktok, twitter, instagram, youtube... ALL of that. It is so easy to disappear down many a rabbit hole real quick. Then I also like games I can play on my cellphone. WWF, candy crush, sims games... ALL of that. Hence, more hours of my day chewed up. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chewing gum for the brain.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's like chewing chewing gum. Not much nourishment there. Just a little minty freshness and keeping the mouth and teeth busy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if I can just sit still and read an hour a day? That would mean so much to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>And so far so good. The current book I'm reading is <i>The Illusion of Money</i> by Kyle Cease. It's not <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvCWdeiyo6VOTV4eq_AAs2E5P7BJ12ojZRUlLfpyqZOMpnG97wvhWPViG91UHLxebGj4LP7KkecLXs7Z9URtITvn6XaM0d60O8iuNK_xnmmuoV1Ksm_NTKRmRgJyL9yVn-1Wxqg/s1600/1641433430091514-0.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvCWdeiyo6VOTV4eq_AAs2E5P7BJ12ojZRUlLfpyqZOMpnG97wvhWPViG91UHLxebGj4LP7KkecLXs7Z9URtITvn6XaM0d60O8iuNK_xnmmuoV1Ksm_NTKRmRgJyL9yVn-1Wxqg/w203-h320/1641433430091514-0.png" width="203" />
</a>some book I would normally pick to read, but it was mentioned in a room on the Clubhouse App (that app itself is another rabbit hole at times). It was a spiritual room I would listen to while I walked in the mornings, and I pulled up an excerpt back in September and decided to make that my first book of the year for my "hour of power".</div><div><br /></div><div>This book is super deep off the pages, but really good. It's kind of hard to explain what's it's about, but in a nutshell, it is about concentrating on the things that expand your heart and soul rather than chasing and doing things because you can make money from it. So it is about purpose and passion. You find your purpose, you pursue what you are passionate about, and provision will follow.</div><div><br /></div><div> I've seen and read much about this subject matter in the past, but this is a fresh perspective. I am much more aware on what makes me happy right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>And what makes me happy right now is my consistent hour of reading a day. It is time for me to be quiet, and for me to get back to concentrating on something useful than all the craziness that goes on in the world around me. I actually look forward to being still and absorbing something interesting. </div><div><br /></div><div>One great quote I've come across from this book (and there are many):</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>"Raising your value is about moving in a direction that is different and more expansive than what you did yesterday. It's about letting go of the things that reinforce your old small vision of what you are worth."</b></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Hmm... that's a lot to chew on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now if I could run down that rabbit hole... oh my. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I plan on continuing my one hour a day of quiet reading. Right now, it is around 6-7:30 pm at night or thereabouts. I found myself dozing off the first day I did this, but now I am excited about it. I may try some other times. That is a good hour after my walking, when I am trying to just wind down in general. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I think it is a good New Year revelation. </div><div><br /></div><div>And so far so good! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-53899760413663886032022-01-04T22:18:00.001-05:002022-01-04T22:18:11.582-05:00Rest in Peace, Betty White (1922-2021)What an American Icon she was...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCpLkeQjemvjQh9EvWhDLrIk3-JQQpKSl9ZE1cDMEZfb6ufxfF3BoVzP88_LclTIRqnLaOqxQ0wGjHYdZ83XpFd2CdKU4fQNGsQ-bU6PCY_GHgONwrcPnF75L_vFqs2fz7mqtlw/s1600/1641352152436863-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCpLkeQjemvjQh9EvWhDLrIk3-JQQpKSl9ZE1cDMEZfb6ufxfF3BoVzP88_LclTIRqnLaOqxQ0wGjHYdZ83XpFd2CdKU4fQNGsQ-bU6PCY_GHgONwrcPnF75L_vFqs2fz7mqtlw/s1600/1641352152436863-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><div><br /></div><div>Rest in Peace, Betty White</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj4Mn36GEBPJFdzVmqt0uZztxRJyM_niYEL59n1PwPPlW21Utdcj13SV1l5lhtb2rLb31G9Nv7xRxyJFFWoIiqUzCoobL4rcjfdKrssYYBfcRlXuuY_KUwNp4a6u9Ub_H2UxjyQ/s1600/1641352150759329-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj4Mn36GEBPJFdzVmqt0uZztxRJyM_niYEL59n1PwPPlW21Utdcj13SV1l5lhtb2rLb31G9Nv7xRxyJFFWoIiqUzCoobL4rcjfdKrssYYBfcRlXuuY_KUwNp4a6u9Ub_H2UxjyQ/s1600/1641352150759329-1.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>If you haven't seen her take as host of Saturday Night Live in 2010, you should go pull it up. SNL aired the epic episode last Saturday night in honor of her passing.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNlpnyiBXtwDYN8oxI9h8Jcu7upr1N_Ex0rwGl_8PrQCy6NbZ6VkXI-UmjyDhs_2yJDznf2nWgRAHKAz4jvQIWsy-auhduP3B48FPlZW6NvEqTC5xUJp7y4C_gUEp5doO-Sn9mg/s1600/1641352536056576-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNlpnyiBXtwDYN8oxI9h8Jcu7upr1N_Ex0rwGl_8PrQCy6NbZ6VkXI-UmjyDhs_2yJDznf2nWgRAHKAz4jvQIWsy-auhduP3B48FPlZW6NvEqTC5xUJp7y4C_gUEp5doO-Sn9mg/s1600/1641352536056576-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><br /></div><div>Best SNL episode I've seen since the Eddie Murphy days. </div><div><br /></div><div>Indeed. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>The last Golden Girl has gone home.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Rest in Peace, Betty White.</i></div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-34388832801276513512022-01-01T00:09:00.002-05:002022-01-01T00:17:48.421-05:002022!! Happy New Year!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i> Star Date</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;">2022.01.01</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #04ff00;">***</span><span style="color: red;">HaPPy</span> <span style="color: #04ff00;">NeW</span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">YeAr</span><span style="color: #ffa400;">***</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RoitTmfZ0u1E4oXZiN7O6a60I61utUwQ0T_1BTaBx-aez8zI5q9gpGMhzxBjet5K1N22wS0OvMKCCSAHi7AeioW9VIjbyw7OMZGTionQ8bvFDQk-i7rgilA8-BBVwqNNFP6VcA/s1600/1641013642739870-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RoitTmfZ0u1E4oXZiN7O6a60I61utUwQ0T_1BTaBx-aez8zI5q9gpGMhzxBjet5K1N22wS0OvMKCCSAHi7AeioW9VIjbyw7OMZGTionQ8bvFDQk-i7rgilA8-BBVwqNNFP6VcA/s1600/1641013642739870-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><br /></span></span></b><p></p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-51823047419744331812021-12-31T23:58:00.000-05:002021-12-31T23:58:59.532-05:00The Last Post of the Year, Part 3: A Cold Bottle of Water<p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk6vUmfFXQfhXBm6RwWhTk259dyu3CzMLxrL1gm2xeYLfvf9TqIGEF8tnHQsHO1UGKLzBIL731c0bjULY8zIlzVB380w60_P_gdm4nWzNKPVPT57eWok-K3ZofaGJoZWqHAjToQ/s1600/1641013136477574-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk6vUmfFXQfhXBm6RwWhTk259dyu3CzMLxrL1gm2xeYLfvf9TqIGEF8tnHQsHO1UGKLzBIL731c0bjULY8zIlzVB380w60_P_gdm4nWzNKPVPT57eWok-K3ZofaGJoZWqHAjToQ/s1600/1641013136477574-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>2021 is coming to an end. </p><p>And I have been just freestyle writing on my physical, mental, and spiritual states. </p><p>I know it is all a bit jumbled, but it all comes together in my head, lol. </p><p>When I think about spiritual matters, though, that's a little complex. </p><p>As I said in the last post, I will pray about things then I will look out for paths to the solution to open up. </p><p>That is the way things work out for me spiritually. </p><p>However, here is what's really going on: </p><p><i>I have to muster up the faith and courage to follow that path.</i> </p><p>And I think about this when I am out walking, or whenever I am silent. </p><p>Something interesting happen the other day. I woke up one morning and I heard in my spirit that I have a tendency to feel like I am a bother not only to people, but to God Himself. And He let me know I am never a bother. He is always here to listen. He understands what I can't even articulate. He answers questions I do not know how to ask. </p><p>Lately in the ATL, this past week or so, it has a bit warm out. So warm that I don't need a jacket. In the middle of December, I can go for a walk in shorts and a t-shirt. In the middle of winter, no less!</p><p>I remember one afternoon, I was a bit upset with myself because when I come in the house all parched and sweaty wanting a COLD bottle of water. I just know that in the summer, nothing felt better than coming in the house and guzzling a cold bottle of water. </p><p>Not so much in the winter, though. I just wanted some lukewarm water. Good enough. </p><p>Except for when it is hot outside in the winter. </p><p>My best friend LadyTee bought me some nice 18 ounce glass bottles with tops earlier this year that I would place in the fridge every day. There were four of them, and I knew if I drank them all that day, I had approached my water requirements for the day. </p><p>I should've kept doing it, but I didn't. </p><p>So earlier this week, when I was out walking at a time I don't usually walk right now (in the morning because it was so cold), I walked up a slightly challenging hill I walk up occasionally... I was a bit emotional, a bit down because it was so gloomy and cloudy out. I had been thinking about all kinds of thing, even did a little praying, even got a little teary-eyed too.</p><p>I walked up a hill that takes me some three minutes to climb. </p><p>Halfway up my hard Sophia-like walk up the hill, an old man came out of his house. His house was close to the street, as he barely has a front yard. </p><p>And he had a cold bottle of water in his hand. </p><p>He ambled out and said, "Young lady, I want to give you a cold bottle of water."</p><p>I don't usually take nothing from strangers, but he was an old man... reminded me of my old relatives. I took it from his outstretched hand and said thank you. </p><p>"The Spirt told me to give it to you," he said. </p><p>"What's that?"</p><p>"The Spirit told me to give it to you," he said again with a smile.</p><p>"Thank you so much," I said. </p><p>He went back into the house. </p><p>When I tell you I was in shock, and had to blink back tears? </p><p>Ugh. </p><p>I made it up the street and around the corner and cried a little. If I could have laid out in the grass and had a good cry, I would have.</p><p>But I continued to walk, clutching my ice cold bottle of water tightly in my hand. </p><p>And I heard in my spirit, <i>I am listening to you, even when you aren't praying. I am keenly aware of what you need. I am always listening and preparing a way for you. I am with you. It is okay. </i></p><p>And it made my day. In the midst of a gloomy day, I kept walking with my cold bottle of water. </p><p>I placed it in my car when I passed by it. (I was parked at the neighborhood track and field). </p><p>And about half an hour later, I finished my walk. I got in my car, wiped down my bottle of water (because we still in a pandemic). . . </p><p>. . . and enjoyed my cold bottle of spring water. </p><p>I kept the empty bottle of water. It meant so much to me on a spiritual level. </p><p>And I have recorded in this post.</p><p>Just so I can come back even after the year 2021 has gone by... and remember. </p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-30344615750943781962021-12-31T23:16:00.005-05:002021-12-31T23:16:57.283-05:00The Last Post of the Year, Part 2: Fear and Anxiety (A Tale of My Mental)<p> 2021 is coming to an end. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPFR6z1aJZdz3UC7EB_aIE7xpFoGcj3h0yvikw5lijThIkatPx9-4DHvr3gCG-bpmH99YVT2QZEQZsvXxkkNiHuHwh_X25WJTRH9v6y4XDQdBFcTPHl0EyIg-u8WhcXnNUatPdw/s1600/1641010404750748-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPFR6z1aJZdz3UC7EB_aIE7xpFoGcj3h0yvikw5lijThIkatPx9-4DHvr3gCG-bpmH99YVT2QZEQZsvXxkkNiHuHwh_X25WJTRH9v6y4XDQdBFcTPHl0EyIg-u8WhcXnNUatPdw/s1600/1641010404750748-0.png" width="400" />
</a>
</div><p></p><p>And I have had the opportunity to look back over my state of mind... my mentality over the past year. </p><p>You know, I have had to admit to myself that I fall short. I fall short of people's expectations, and even my own expectations. </p><p><i>Constantly. </i></p><p>And I have had to come to accept that and be okay with that. I am still a good person. And most of all, I am still breathing. And that means I still have ample opportunity to change. Not for other people, because I believe you can't please everybody all the time. I will never be the party person, the hip friend that everyone wants to hang out with. I have never been that and I hope I never will. I am living in a time that I can't tell people apart, and I want to always stand out from the crowd if possible. </p><p>I must admit that over the years, maybe over the past five years or so, I have changed a lot when it comes to people. I have found that I experience a good amount of social anxiety, so it is rare for me to hang out with people. Plus, I don't do well with working out my problems and disagreements with folks. Part of that is that I really do not care. And I hate to admit it, I have come to a point where I am willing to be a bit superficial with people. It is just so much easier than being myself. I am finding that people expect "surface". Nothing fake, but wonderful pleasantries, blah-zay-blah. I don't like this at all, but it is easy. And most likely, it is with people who I use to talk to often, but I don't now. Much of that hurts. But it's okay. Just make the best of it, and be superficial. Do what, on some level, is expected of me. Do what is easy.</p><p><i>And keep it moving. </i></p><p>That was a lot, but that was just something off the top of my head, some things I have been thinking about. </p><p><i><b><span style="color: red;">Mental</span></b>.</i> Like most people, I am a bit anxious about the pandemic. I myself am glued to the television, listening to what is being said and hoping that I will wake up one morning and find out that it is all a dream.</p><p>But I know that will not happen. </p><p>So I have a good amount of fear and anxiety. I would never admit that to people, but I am admitting it here. I rarely express my feelings to people, because I have been blown off so much. But you know what has happened to set me on the road to being free from that? </p><p>There are close to 8 billion people on this earth. </p><p>And that means there are close to 8 billion different perspectives.</p><p>And that is alright. </p><p>And it has helped me embrace my perspectives about things, no matter if they are blown off. If they are, then they are. But this is how I feel about what I am dealing with. And from that point, I feel a bit more comfortable praying about it, praying for solutions. No, not to be perfect or acceptable in anyone's eyes, but to simply be able to examine my perspectives and follow the road to improvement or change. </p><p>Does that make sense? </p><p>Yes I know I am all over the place, but I am going somewhere with this. </p><p>I have been praying about fear and anxiety. Just for some help. I rarely talk about this with people, because you know, it is just easy to do what is expected: be superficial. But shadows of how I feel have come out with those who are close to me. And it is like a huge weight off my shoulders and mind. I am so thankful for that. </p><p>What has been particularly interesting is that I will pray about something, and then be on the lookout for some type of answer, some pathway to open up.</p><p>And I tell you what: it never fails that this happens. </p><p>Back in November, I took a workshop entitled "Fear, Anxiety and Overwhelm". I took a ton of notes and got a lot out of it. It was just an hour give or take per evening for five days. We even had homework. It was a pretty good deep dive into the "why" behind being earful, anxious and overwhelmed. Just looking for the root to it all. I learned a lot during this workshop.</p><p>But you know the one thing that stuck with me?</p><p>I found out that most of my fear is imagined. All just a figment of my imagination. </p><p>I would be so bold as to say that some 99% of my fears are imagined. That is hard for me to admit. But I learned during that class to really sit down with my fears and examine them. </p><p>This revelation did a lot for me. I was able to get a few things that I had been afraid to do, done. </p><p>And you know what? </p><p>When all was done and said, it all wasn't as bad as I<i> imagined</i> it to be. </p><p>Then on top of that, my Pastor said soon after that, that he was starting a series on fear. A real deep dive on it. And of course, that made me happy because it was an answer to a prayer. And over the past month, there has been much confirmation of some of the answers I have been getting to some of my prayers. And as a result, I have made more progress dealing with my fear and anxiety. And I have been bold enough to set some goals for myself that I have been afraid of setting.</p><p>Like I said at the beginning of this post, I am a bit exasperated when it comes to this pandemic. Much of this is coming from being fearful of the unknown. I am immunocompromised and have had to do quite a bit to stay out of the way of exposure to the virus. I do my best to stay masked up and stay sanitized. I do my best to be careful. I have worked from home since March 2020. Coworkers talk trash, and I am proud of myself for not dialing anyone up and opening up the good book of cuss on them. I let it go. God bless them. Keep it moving.</p><p>I, like everyone, want this to be over. It sure does a hit job on my mentality. I don't have much family as it is, but it is painful at times to spend all this time alone day after day after day. Many of my friends were in the workplace. As I get older, I find that I like face-to-face interaction with people who know the real me and accept the real me: quiet, funny, serious, nonconfrontational, non-messy, deep thinking. I want to enjoy being around people who allow me to be myself. And I am missing that during this pandemic. </p><p>Also during this pandemic, I am coming to a place that I am not aghast when someone contracts the virus. There is always that question of <i>Where did you pick it up from? What were you doing? </i>But we see the real problem is that this mess is just in the air. It is a bit scary. So I am more compassionate now. That's a good thing. </p><p>So this was my last post of the year concerning my mental state of mind. </p><p>I am doing alright. I am improving. I don't cry as much. I have just decided to just keep moving forward... </p><p>... day after day after day. </p><p>On purpose.</p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-22414574166957406712021-12-31T21:33:00.003-05:002021-12-31T21:33:31.394-05:00The Last Post of the Year, Part I: I will be Happy for ME<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxvXmSTS1CsxaEcimWd1hy4o-TnuhnwRHQg3eVvPZrfrOU5ZhHbNYskzfJyTTq_3xFI_gxMIzrfohioArHTNSVD2gD3RFCe-glA627D9Fy5x2M16TCFnOAuRY6rjLbdo91OHYDw/s1600/1641004352775084-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxvXmSTS1CsxaEcimWd1hy4o-TnuhnwRHQg3eVvPZrfrOU5ZhHbNYskzfJyTTq_3xFI_gxMIzrfohioArHTNSVD2gD3RFCe-glA627D9Fy5x2M16TCFnOAuRY6rjLbdo91OHYDw/s1600/1641004352775084-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>Well, in a few hours, it will be the year 2022. <p></p><p>I must admit, with all that is going on in the world, I had no idea what my world would look like on December 31, 2021. But no matter how it went down, my baseline goal is to be alive. . . </p><p>. . .And to be thankful for being alive to see the dawning of a New Year.</p><p>So I spent time this week thinking about three different parts of myself, starting from outward and going inward: the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. This post may just be one lonnng post. Or it may be in three parts as three different posts.</p><p><i><span style="color: red;"><b>The Physical</b></span></i>. I have been thinking about this all day. This has been a pretty transformative year for me from a physical point of view. I managed to lose approximately 65-70 pounds this year. I would have never imagined it. I took a chance on a weight loss life coach back in early January, and it worked out pretty well. I dropped off some this past year, so one of my new years goals is to get back on track, and lose more weight. I have managed to keep the weight off, with little fluctuations. But I have a better plan for the new year, and I am always in touch with my problem spots. So that will be the work for the next few months. And I am equipped with the tools to monitor and take care of that. </p><p>I know at the beginning of the year, I made a goal to walk 10 minutes a day. Just 10 minutes a day. I cannot tell you how elated I was to walk that 10 minutes, then surpass it by walking 15 minutes. I mean that was half a mile. A whole half a mile! </p><p>And soon after, I made a goal to just walk a mile a day. This took me a little longer to accomplish. By this time, it was the late winter, and I didn't know if I could make it. Plus, I walk slow, and it was so hard having to watch people walk past me. I felt so slow. I had to get to a point where I pushed past that.</p><p>And today, I thought about all of this and how far I have come. Some 11 months later, I am able to walk an average of 3 miles a day. I had a goal of walking at least five days a week, but I easily walk six to seven days a week, especially if the weather is nice (or at least bearable). It is a little harder when it is cloudy. And I have only walked once in the rain, with my umbrella of course. I will have to take the L on that, because I refuse to do that again. But I have always gotten my five days in. And when it's gloomy, I will walk for at least half an hour around my private island, i.e., my kitchen island. </p><p>But that has been good for me, the weight loss and the exercise. A couple times a week, I will walk 4 to 5 miles at a time. It all depends on how my joints are feeling. I have osteoarthritis, so I listen to how I am feeling. If a knee or a hip threatens to start hurting, I head in the direction of my car or my house. The pain is nothing excruciating, but just annoying. The exercise seems to help that. And I challenge myself and walk hills. I wasn't able to do that early on. I make sure there are a few inclines along my walking route on purpose now. </p><p>I was diabetic according to my HA1C numbers, but I have knocked a couple of points off that, so I am not even in the prediabetic range now. That's a good thing. My cholesterol is high, so I am trying to work on that. My primary care doctor whines about this, so much so that I canceled my last appointment. I will continue to work on it and see her again when I figure it out. </p><p>Until then, like I told her... I am going to be happy for ME, even if I am the only one happy for me and my progress. </p><p>I can happy for me... and at the same time, face and work on my challenges. I WILL continue to make progress. </p><p>But nevertheless, I have made a promise to myself:</p><p><i>I will be happy for ME. </i></p>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-44988203977128770832021-12-30T23:19:00.001-05:002021-12-30T23:19:39.408-05:00My Favorite Gift...One gift I received really stands out.<div><br></div><div>Look at these headphones.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR3TZb87TDH4RKzEoOspMh0mTwfVjaDovYFFVpv1XeVabSABNjsBCSGQpLqBT3sSKarIO9qllqAGrIrBdYvZodaIWj5X3ZmLiU0WV5AB-EPfL5p-LmS1w1vipx0Ro5gm0Yt-azw/s1600/1640924375967111-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR3TZb87TDH4RKzEoOspMh0mTwfVjaDovYFFVpv1XeVabSABNjsBCSGQpLqBT3sSKarIO9qllqAGrIrBdYvZodaIWj5X3ZmLiU0WV5AB-EPfL5p-LmS1w1vipx0Ro5gm0Yt-azw/s1600/1640924375967111-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div>They are not regular headphones. They are bone conduction headphones.</div><div><br></div><div>Why come nobody told me about them?</div><div><br></div><div>In a nutshell, these headphones allow the user to bypass their eardrums. You listen through vibration through the bone near your ear. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7TNMTiDAyXp2bXtyaeDpYGyZAlLNj_HJygml7Wu6CXhv_ZoTewODJDVY7YynIJb8yyUnnq1_PwwGcI1lFYG5VrLgeMI_4SeNhhzjiQhvkzrOxC_TopmvDpjapvptFchz5zP6xg/s1600/1640924374157483-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7TNMTiDAyXp2bXtyaeDpYGyZAlLNj_HJygml7Wu6CXhv_ZoTewODJDVY7YynIJb8yyUnnq1_PwwGcI1lFYG5VrLgeMI_4SeNhhzjiQhvkzrOxC_TopmvDpjapvptFchz5zP6xg/s1600/1640924374157483-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>How cool is that? Who knew such a technology was available. I didn't.</div><div><br></div><div>Like I said, my brother sent them to me. He uses them himself. I have come to prefer them when I am walking, as I can listen to my music and leave my eardrums free to hear everything going on arrive me. </div><div><br></div><div>And that's a good thing!</div><div><br></div><div>I hope they are using this technology to rid the world of deadness. I am sure they are or have been working on that.</div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15388809.post-80164492283612940212021-12-27T22:19:00.001-05:002021-12-27T22:19:15.232-05:00Christmas DecorationsMy one and only Christmas Decoration.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QZQPRFTDyJyluBs1JOwv-bIWKw6bfPPgLjKd8zH4CyW0LMK4YeCsc9gCsB0cNUPeTpnZSyh5ws3OS0luW7wbZuWKN6NlL1BEEupLc-v581lwldg3fvGaIuzo3P77iv8J0blg0Q/s1600/1640661551653263-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QZQPRFTDyJyluBs1JOwv-bIWKw6bfPPgLjKd8zH4CyW0LMK4YeCsc9gCsB0cNUPeTpnZSyh5ws3OS0luW7wbZuWKN6NlL1BEEupLc-v581lwldg3fvGaIuzo3P77iv8J0blg0Q/s1600/1640661551653263-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div><div>And I put it up on Christmas day. How lazy is that? </div><div><br></div><div>LOL.</div>LadyLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895667783148669410noreply@blogger.com0